TITLE: New Grange Study #3
DATE CREATED: 2001
DIMENSIONS: 8x10
STATUS: For Sale: 8 of 50 Prints (matted) $10 / Original sold in 2004
COMMENTS: One of my obsessions since childhood is the megalithic structure of New Grange (Brú na Bóinne) in the Boyne Valley of County Meath, Ireland. I finally got to see it in February of 1996. And it was one of the most moving and spiritual experiences of my life.
At best estimates, the structure was built about 3200 BC – making it older than the great pyramids of Egypt.. The stones which surround the structure are decorated with megalithic art – spirals and diamonds and things called “cup markings.” You can see some excellent examples and get more information about the structure itself here http://www.knowth.com/index.htm. The spiral design, sometimes called a triskel or triple spiral, is one of my favorite celtic designs. The ironic thing being, however, that the symbol was in use about 2500 years before the celtic settlements of Ireland. Still, something about it is appealing and evocative and I often work it into my celtic themed works, and as a personal mark on my artwork.
For me, aside from the fabulous and detailed designs, the most fascinating thing about the place is that on the winter solstice -- and only then -- as the sun comes up, it shines through the small opening over the entrance and illuminates the inner chamber. The guides gave a demonstration of this by turning off the lights inside and plunging the chamber into utter darkness. This is the darkest dark you can imagine and is quite chilling in a metaphoric way. Then, they gradually light up the chamber using a flood light from outside. Our guide said this is only a pale imitation of the real event, which is awe inspiring in the original, literal meaning of the words. However, you can only be present for the real deal if you enter a lottery and are lucky enough to be one of the 50 names picked.
I’ll be displaying several other examples of my New Grange art over the coming weeks. This print is #3 in my continuing study of the place and its effect on me, and I just finished a fourth painting.
Technorati Tags: New Grange, triskels, spiral art, megalithic structures, Winter Solstice
