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artreview.com 23 November 2008

Susanne Iles's Page

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Bone Singer Studio Blog

Lest We Forget: Remembrance Day

There is evidence poppy cultivation dates back to the Stone Age. Potions to induce sleep, transformation, and ecstatic dreams were probably the source of one of the plant’s names, "the flower of forgetfulness". Even the poet Homer was known to succumb to the poppy’s potent charms.

In Greek mythology, Hypnos, the god of sleep, created a poppy drink to quell the grief of the corn goddess Demeter whose daughter, Persephone, had been abducted to the underworld. While Demeter mourned, famine covered the land. Hypnos’s drink forced Demeter into a state of gentle slumber and healing. She awakened comforted, and the world was made green again. To this day some farmers sow poppies among the corn plants to ensure a healthy harvest.

It is little wonder then the poppy was used to ease the pain of battle wounds. As long as there has been war, so too have there been stories about the poppy as a symbol of sacrifice and memory. From the raids of Genghis Khan to the heart of Flanders Fields, blood-red poppies nod in silent prayer over the graves of many brave souls.

(from my essay, The Storied Garden, Planting the Seeds of Myth)

Apep, The Egyptian Dragon of Chaos

(from my website: http://www.bonesinger.com/essayapep.html, for purchase inquries please follow this link http://www.bonesinger.com/apep.html)

Apep, The Egyptian Dragon of Chaos by Susanne Iles

Throughout the ancient mythological texts of Egypt, the theme of resurrection and rebirth can be found time and again. In one such myth, we are introduced to the mighty and dangerous dragon, Apep. A mysterious creature bearing many names, Apep was also known as Apophis, Aaapef and Rerek. Some people, however, preferred this serpent-like dragon to remain Nameless. Whatever his true name may have been, it was kept secret so as not to grant any further power to this tremendous being. The power contained in Apep represented the chaotic elements of the universe, the destructive and dark side of Nature.

Although later mythologies described Apep as evil, the early myth-tellers were aware life was the coexistence of all opposite values. True power could be seen in the contrasting elements of Apep as the destructive darkness, and Re, the heat and light giving sun-god traveling through the sky in his solar barque.

Death and Rebirth

Each day Apep attempted to disrupt the passage of the solar barque carrying the sun-god Re, as it traveled from east to west across the sky. Storms, darkness, rain, eclipse - all were weapons used against Re's fiery presence in the heavens. The dying god Re made his way to the Underworld as night shrouded daylight, only to be reborn each and every morning at sunrise. The battle between Re and Apep was played out daily as a very visible symbol of the natural cycle of life and death.

Protective Entourage

Many ancient hieroglyphs show Re in his solar barque surrounded by a protective entourage of gods and goddesses. The gods Set and Mehen battled the dragon with knives and spears. Osiris, Lord of the Underworld, along with his wife/sister, Isis, and the goddess Nephthys, used prayers and supplication as an affirmation of their protective powers. On Earth, the Egyptians and their priests would recite spells and prayers to help ensure Re's continued victory over the darkness.

May the Victory over Darkness continue.



 

Profile

Website
www.bonesinger.com
Member type
Artist, Curator
If you're an artist, what kind of art do you make?
Drawing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture
I am...
a contemporary symbolist painter, writer, and curator, living in Castletownbere, County Cork, Ireland.
About my artwork
I am fascinated by mythology, divine alchemy, dragons,magic, ancient history,and esoterica. I'm inspired to unearth the bones of old stories and re-create them in their spiritual and sacred context.
Interests
mythology, folklore, painting, alchemy, mystery traditions, magic,esoterica, symbolist art, prehistory studies, iado, amigurumi, manga, anime, illustration, hermetica,reading, photography, sculpture, carving, music, hiking

Blogs:
News from the Studio: http://www.bone-singer.blogspot.com/
Poppets and Poppets: http://alchemydoll.blogspot.com/
Ring of Beara: http://www.ringofbeara.blogspot.com/
The centre of the artworld is
nowhere and everywhere

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Susanne Iles's Artworks

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Susanne Iles's Blog

Liquid Lust

Susanne Iles, Bone Singer Studio~Gallery, Ireland What is the most delicious thing you can get an artist as a gift? Here's a hint, it's something sexy and exciting. Can you guess? That's right....new art supp… Continue

Posted on 27th April 2008 at 12:15pm — No Comments (Add)

Lif-Extended Reach, Mixed Media Painting by Susanne Iles

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Posted on 18th April 2008 at 12:30pm — No Comments (Add)

Calcinatio Angelus Painting

Introducing The First Painting in my Magnum Opus Series "… Continue

Posted on 28th February 2008 at 2:23pm — No Comments (Add)

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At 11:10am on 15th November 2008, Susanne Niebruegge-Alm said…
like your work......greetings from another Susanne:)
 
 

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