” In Her High Place” is a new piece just completed. 18″x24″ Acrylic and Indian Ink
In Her High Place. Acrylic and Indian ink
Reflecting on the power of faith in Ethiopia, the common Ethiopian Woman is one of the first thoughts that comes to mind. The prayerful manner of the women and the personal relationship they have with the Most High, stands out with poi’s unique to Ethiopia.
The importance of expressing the mood meant I needed to highlight the simplicity of her complexity. The brown dress and top, was done so that it was clear that she was living her everyday life, that she wasn’t going to church or in a formal setting. It is a country rural environment, high in the hills, and being in pure white was too easy for the symbolic expression of faith. Still it was important to have the traditional Ethiopia head wrap, and the church in the background, being it is intrinsic to the Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Culture, and a part of daily life. Couple with that, is the very familiar small wooden cross around her neck. This cross is the cross that is most common, especially around children, as a way of enforcing the faith humbly, where the cross is small, easy to make and a sign of understanding of an unpretentious christianity.
The Lion and Lamb, on the Ethiopian Solomonic Seal, represents the Power and Prophecy of Iyesus Christos return as the Conquering Lion of Judah in His Kingly Character. The relationship of Ethiopia to this declaration and eventual actualization, is its own foundation in each person based on faith. In oneness, this woman represents that embracing of this holy land, the prophecies and prophets. That a Lion and Lamb mind state is native to Ethiopia and naturally would become a part of the social structure of the collective mind. Likewise the three doves, representing the Holy Trinity, are flying in the background as a further reminder of the divine unity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit as God the Lion and Lamb through the Holy Spirit that dwells in the Heart of flesh. Both would reveal themselves in the Same Name, through the fulfillment in the personage of Qedamawi Haile Selassie. (First and Forever, the Power and Virtue of the Trinity) Who is the Conquering Lion of Judah, King of Kings, and the Root of David. Emperor of Ethiopia, Throne of Zion and Beta Israel.
In the Ethiopian highlands there are flowers all about, and because it has 13 months of sunshine, in their remarkable calendar, it felt appropriate to make different forms of sunflowers.
I hope you have enjoyed this piece, and will share it with others. The original piece is for sale for $625. plus shipping for the original. Prints are also available, please send a message if interested. $30 for 8×11″ signed bagged and backed or $60 for 11×17″ signed and in a hard plastic case. This piece is also available for shared rights an album cover or t-shirt, let I know soon before it someone wants to use it. Thank you for supporting, and there will more art coming soon. Jah Bless you all and stay focused on doing your best, expand your love capacity and build for tomorrow. One Jah, One Heart, One Love, One Blood. Holy Emanuel I, Selassie I, Jah Rastafari.
“In Her High Place” Video and info!