This piece is inspired in the famous painting by Botticelli, Primavera. My version represents the cycles of the seasons of the year, thus alluding to the totality of life and the necessity of each of these moments in its composition. I wanted here to demonstrate that not only Spring, which is considered the most joyful and abundant of the seasons of the year, should be celebrated.
This way, I am making a relation with the events of life and the nuances and complexity that make up the experience that each one of us has. After all, spring could not exist without the cold of winter. Each plant that blooms in the spring, must first cross the adversities of winter for it to exist. In essence, the image portrays me with my family.
According to Greek mythology, when Demeter is happy, nature flourishes - it is the time of spring and summer. But when Persephone, her daughter, has to return to Hades, Demeter plunges again into the greatest sorrow: autumn then begins, winter then comes, and desolation in nature.
Sketch of The Moirae.
The deities are inspired by the Gods from the Greek mythology stories, Catholic Saints and also in the Orixás from Umbanda. Umbanda is an Afro Brazilian religion combining elements of African traditions, Spiritism, Catholicism, and the practices of indigenous peoples of South America. The original figures (Mercury, The Three Graces, Venus, Flora, Chloris and the Zephyr) are incorporated as my family member and represent, respectively by:
Dionysus / Saint Sebastian / Oxóssi
The Moirae (Clotho) / Saint Anne / Nanã Buruque (elder sister)
The Moirae (Lachesis) / Saint Anthony / Exu (myself)
The Moirae (Atropos) / Saint Lazarus / Obaluaiê | (younger Sister)
Gaea / Jesus Christ / Oxalá
Rhea / Joan of Arc / Obá | (my mother)
Iris / Saint Barthlomew / Oxumaré | (my best friend)
Helios / Our Lady of Conception / Oxum | (my father)
Dionysus and Clotho (The Moirae).
The idea of Amor Fati, described by Nietzsche, for example, speaks about embracing our lives with all it comes, our faith. To accept life as life presents itself. By doing so, we would walk away from feelings of resentment and instead be aware that everything we go through contributes to building who we are in the present.
“It is not what happens to us, but how we react to it is what matters.”
Clotho represents my eldest sister, who has always been a mother figure to me and my youngsters sister. According to Greek mythology she is responsible for starting life, Clotho is also known as the daughter of the Night and has an element of mystery, similarly to my sister who is at the same time very giving but also incredibly reserved.
Lachesis and Atropos (The Moirae).
Lachesis represents me and as the middle child I always played the role of mediator between my sisters and family members because of my people-pleasing characteristic. Similarly to Lachesis, who operates as the decider of ones destiny, I believe I always try to be supportive and help others in difficult decisions throughout life, even tho a lot of the times I get it wrong. Atropos (my youngest sister) is one of the strongest and most loyal people I have ever known. She is incorporated by Atropos, the ones who cuts the thread of life.
Gaea.
The so-called Mother Earth, is the central piece of the drawing and alludes to the majestic force of nature and somewhat represents the resourcefulness of Brazil and its people.
Rhea and Iris.
Rhea, being the mother of all gods represents here the force of women in general and also in my life. We are a small family but essentially matriarchal, and I am very thankful for being surrounded by so many inspiring, resilient and strong females. Iris is the personification of the rainbow and despite Hermes being most commonly associated as the messenger God I opted for Iris to signify this meaning.
Helios.
Representing the summer and the intense heat of my native Rio de Janeiro, I am using Helios as well as quite often he is represented with a red rob and his image, somewhat, reminds me of St. George, patron of England and the Saint of my father’s devotion. Helios here alludes to the figure of my father, a strong man who have always been the spinal cord of my family and whom I greatly admire.
