'Flight'Zushi shrine - 2022Mixed media (click for details)14" x 19" x 20"
In Japan, portable altars containing objects of worship are known as 'zushi'. These wooden box shrines appeared first in eighth-century Shinto temples, their small size allowing them to accompany their owner during travel. A central sculpture of a sacred Shinto or Buddhist deity is typically concealed behind humble black lacquer (urushi) doors, enclosing an interior richly embellished with gold leaf, fine fabrics, carvings, and polychrome paintings. Opening the doors of these plain miniature temples gave the viewer a sudden sense of being in the presence of the divine. Visitors to such shrines would offer two sharp hand claps to honor the deity inside, often a god or goddess of compassion and mercy.
The traditional makers of zushi shrines excelled at using design elements that reflect the natural world - a stepped waterfall base symbolizing a sacred mountain landscape, cloud motif roofs and carvings evoking the sky above. 'Flight' honors the skill of these master artisans, while contemplating the impact of climate change on butterfly and moth species across the world.
The butterflies and moths hidden inside Flight were found at a local flea market in a battered plexiglass display box. The Chinese silk was rescued from worn seat covers I purchased in an antique store many years ago.
In Japan, portable altars containing objects of worship are known as 'zushi'. These wooden box shrines appeared first in eighth-century Shinto temples, their small size allowing them to accompany their owner during travel. A central sculpture of a sacred Shinto or Buddhist deity is typically concealed behind humble black lacquer (urushi) doors, enclosing an interior richly embellished with gold leaf, fine fabrics, carvings, and polychrome paintings. Opening the doors of these plain miniature temples gave the viewer a sudden sense of being in the presence of the divine. Visitors to such shrines would offer two sharp hand claps to honor the deity inside, often a god or goddess of compassion and mercy.
The traditional makers of zushi shrines excelled at using design elements that reflect the natural world - a stepped waterfall base symbolizing a sacred mountain landscape, cloud motif roofs and carvings evoking the sky above. 'Flight' honors the skill of these master artisans, while contemplating the impact of climate change on butterfly and moth species across the world.
The butterflies and moths hidden inside Flight were found at a local flea market in a battered plexiglass display box. The Chinese silk was rescued from worn seat covers I purchased in an antique store many years ago.
