Human Rites
Materials palm tree leave trunks, acrylics, marker
Photography credit Eva Feuchter, Illia Drobchak, Endre Lehel Paksi
Human Rites is a mixed media art project that I dedicated my time to during my artist residency in the surroundings of Gran Canaria, Spain, spanning from July to August 2024. The experience allowed me to explore various natural materials as a base for ritualistic objects painted with symbolic images. At the end of my stay, the objects were displayed in a pop-up exhibition in an abandoned cave.
The objects are inspired by the cultural heritage associated with various spiritually significant places found throughout the Canary Islands, i. e. Roque Nublo. They reflect the idea of a deeper connection between the body and nature by combining symbolic illustrations with the uneven surface of the plant material. The ritual presentation not only addresses the individual, but also the collective experience. As abrahamic religions fall away, the lack of shared rites leaves a void in the social structure, which, in mainstream society, is yet to be filled.
Overview
Cave Exhibition
At the end of my stay, various objects and paintings were displayed in a pop-up exhibition set within the eerie and somewhat repelling environment of an abandoned cave that can only be reached through a narrow path. A number of objects were left in the cave for the next person to discover.
Objects in Use
