I finished reading Amy Hale’s excellent biography of Ithell Colquhoun a couple of weeks ago (Hale, A (2020) Genius of the Fern Loved Gully: The Super Sensual Life of Ithell Colquhoun Strange Attractor Press, London: England). It was more information about Colquhoun in one big hit than I’d got in months of sorting through bits…
Tag: Occult
Symbolism of the Pelican
I use plenty of symbolism in my work but generally I don’t like to be too explanatory or didactic with it. I would like the imagery to affect the viewer in a more subtle way; triggering memories and associations rather than being ‘read’. People do ask me for more insight into the symbols I use…
Text-based Research May 2019
To go along with my image collection I usually create mind maps examining certain themes and ideas within the work. I wrote a statement that I think sums up much of what goes on in the work: Communication of otherworldly experience requires a symbolic language due to the ephemeral and unexplainable nature of the phenomena….
Geometry under the rug
Just when I was getting into finding out about the contemporary Western relationship to esotericism and the occult, a friend sends me a selection of facebook screenshots he thought I might enjoy. I did enjoy it immensely, not just because peoples reactions are so great, but because it provided a nice little insight into exactly…
The Ritual of the Mass & the difficulties of portraying esoteric ritual practice in contemporary art
Image: The main iconostasis in St Kazan Cathedral, St Petersburg, Russia. I’ve been discussing the idea of filmed ritual with Josephine who has collaborated with me in my video work. We were wondering about how have to have a more active ritual aspect to the work and how this would translate. The main issues I…
Notes on Nigredo
“In the ash that lies at the bottom of the grave, there lies the king’s diadem…” – Livre de Arthéphius, Bibliothéque des Philosophes Chimiques, Paris, 1741 Nigredo – the earthly aspect, the shadow, the dark night of the soul, corruption, charring, putrefaction. To be reborn the spirit must die and decay, then rise again in…
‘Occulture: The Dark Arts’ at City Gallery Wellington
Last weekend I flew down to Wellington for the day so that I could attend the opening of ‘Occulture’ at the City Gallery. I have never been at such a busy opening day with so many packed-out floor talks! It was seriously heartening for me to see so much interest in work with this kind…
Continuing research and an exciting art show
I’ve been having a couple of those months where I feel so stuck when it comes to making work. It’s a normal part of the process, but it’s hard not to get angry and frustrated with yourself. I have set up a studio space at home – it’s small but it will allow me to…
The alter-egos of Ayu Subhadra
Over the last few years I have been gathering together information about my great grandfather with the help of other interested in parties in the UK and the US. It’s starting to come together into something that might make an interesting book, but I’ve got some holes in the story that still need filling. While…
Mary MacGregor-Reid 