The Old Songs Print
Painted originally on a heavy piece of oak, I made a circle of women inside a womb-shaped cave, the opening to which is formed in the natural shape of the wood, and painted red. In the centre is both a hearthfire and the black portal-hole to who-knows-where. The women are held by the madder-coloured cave walls around them, which have old symbols inscribed on them.
Two of the women drum the rhythms of the songs which they have been collectively singing for many generations, songs to stitch together sky and earth, heart and heart, mother and child, morning and evening, and everything besides and in-between...
Together these women know things that they cannot know alone. Together these women conjure things that they could not conjure alone. Together these women sing the in-dwelling umbilical music: remembering themselves back through time to when the cave walls were just freshly painted with the red of the mysterious life-full wombsheddings of their foremothers.
This was a commissioned piece, intended to celebrate the magic that happens when women gather together. I hope it speaks to you also.
Painted originally on a heavy piece of oak, I made a circle of women inside a womb-shaped cave, the opening to which is formed in the natural shape of the wood, and painted red. In the centre is both a hearthfire and the black portal-hole to who-knows-where. The women are held by the madder-coloured cave walls around them, which have old symbols inscribed on them.
Two of the women drum the rhythms of the songs which they have been collectively singing for many generations, songs to stitch together sky and earth, heart and heart, mother and child, morning and evening, and everything besides and in-between...
Together these women know things that they cannot know alone. Together these women conjure things that they could not conjure alone. Together these women sing the in-dwelling umbilical music: remembering themselves back through time to when the cave walls were just freshly painted with the red of the mysterious life-full wombsheddings of their foremothers.
This was a commissioned piece, intended to celebrate the magic that happens when women gather together. I hope it speaks to you also.
Painted originally on a heavy piece of oak, I made a circle of women inside a womb-shaped cave, the opening to which is formed in the natural shape of the wood, and painted red. In the centre is both a hearthfire and the black portal-hole to who-knows-where. The women are held by the madder-coloured cave walls around them, which have old symbols inscribed on them.
Two of the women drum the rhythms of the songs which they have been collectively singing for many generations, songs to stitch together sky and earth, heart and heart, mother and child, morning and evening, and everything besides and in-between...
Together these women know things that they cannot know alone. Together these women conjure things that they could not conjure alone. Together these women sing the in-dwelling umbilical music: remembering themselves back through time to when the cave walls were just freshly painted with the red of the mysterious life-full wombsheddings of their foremothers.
This was a commissioned piece, intended to celebrate the magic that happens when women gather together. I hope it speaks to you also.
Printed on 100% recycled 260gsm (card weight) parchment-coloured Context Birch paper. A beautiful quality warm and earthy print. The paper has very fine inclusions in it, giving it a handmade feel.
On the back is printed the title and details of the image.
The last picture shows you the image most clearly; though the actual paper background is cream/off-white which gives the image an added warmth, as you can see in the first photos.
THE OLD SONGS is available in two sizes: A4 (11.7" x 8.27") and 7" x 5"
It will come packed carefully in a cellophane sleeve and a sturdy envelope.
© Rima Staines 2021