Celtic Lotus

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on April 4, 2014 at 2:12pm

Curator’s Comments:

 

Celtic Lotus is an entrancing sculptural form with bold radial symmetry.  Its knotted stylized design has a decidedly ancient appearance, which is reinforced by the rough organic stone.  While the reference to Celtic design is easily apparent, it also appears to capture other global influences.  The reference to the lotus takes on mythological Greek and Asian/Hindu religious connotations, embodying a rich iconography of timeless beauty and spiritual purity. The tantric repetition of leaves and knots lends itself to strong visual embellishment, and perhaps also conceptually connects meditative traditions.  I’m a little ambivalent about how I feel about the gold ornamentation on top of the piece- it may be unwarranted gilding on an already elaborate work.  If gold is to be added, I actually prefer the spectacular Tree of Life.  Discernibly connected to The Book of Kells, the gold pigment is a lavish display of adoration. The carving adds a corporeal physicality to the inspirational illumination.  Sharing some of the Christian animal iconography, it nonetheless becomes a unique devotional piece.  The formal connections between the curvilinear shapes and lustrous warm color palette is as hypnotic as Celtic Lotus; both drawn upon an instinctive natural appreciation of rhythmic organic pattern.