The Dark Throne Series
Picture Overview & Text wrap up Paintings+Texts by Gian Merlevede |
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Gian Merlevede Artborne Erdeborn
The Dark Throne Series - Overview
Throne, 2001 - Gian MerlevedeThis painting Throne, 2001 served as a prefiguration of The Dark Throne Series Acrylics on thick paper. 67x97 cm Painted between 1997-2001 →Photo Details |
The Dark Throne, 2010 - Gian MerlevedeAcrylics on canvas:
100x150 cm Painted in the period of June 2007 through June 2010 →Photo Details →Text Recalibration (Metanoia), 2011 - Gian MerlevedeAcrylics on canvas:
100x150 cm Painted in the period of March 2007 through March 2011 →Photo Details →Text Glowing Throne (Above Snow Covered Fields of Mansfeld Country), 2013 - Gian Merlevede
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About the Show
Back in 2007 I showed my exhibition Wrestling in the Sea (with the One). All the paintings focused on the theme of man struggling with self, and wrestling with the sovereign Creator. To summarize the visual core metaphor in that exhibition: Caught between cliff and sea breakers.
In the same period I started working on another visual core metaphor to capture this same subject of existential-religious struggle: The theme of the "darkened" throne hall of the Creator.
My paintings often reflect aspects of my journey of faith.
I belong to the earth, as much as I belong to the unseen, the heavenly.
For now, I live in the unyielding rift between those two worlds. That is what I contemplate.
The biblical informations increase my awareness of God's sovereign ways of redemption.
We humans often gain clarity only in the aftermath of inner struggles.
The Dark Throne Series
Back in 2004, I suffered a severe religious burn out. My soul left „church“ almost broke. I had the feeling that the personal God Who is there was just too invisible and too silent to bear. Even so, it was clear as crystal to me, that I would never be able to reasonably question His existence, let alone ignore His presence above the universe. Therefore, I felt utterly trapped.
Like if I had fallen into a roaring sea that continually sucked me under. Smashing me endlessly against grinding cliffs. Pinned down and helpless, I remembered my nothingness, I was mere dust and ashes. Somehow I felt some of the „reckless“ might and sovereign authority of God-our-Father („Swallowing Ocean“), as likewise I did sense His „stern“ will and resolve of character („Cliffs“).
My projected ideas about God were faltering. Clearly, He was not going to be manipulated by them, ever. Shockingly I woke up to His dangerous side (the severity of God really balances His kindness, as He is both and more!). I was wrestling in the sea with the One! In almost the same manner, I was groping blindly before His very throne seat! And all of this happening in like total silence or consuming darkness. Like a sort of inexplicable test requiring you to fail.
At some point I stepped into the void, deciding to pay Him out in his own coin. Now I was going to turn a blind eye to Him! Too far gone as to fear any damnation. This act of defiance helped me regain a sense of self. For years I had been crying out in vain for some heavenly response. Then at last, I stopped hoping for Him to answer me, and quietness finally set in.
„Lovely, isn't it? This intimacy between us now.“ That hit the nail on the head. Oh paradox! Though I refused to address Him any longer, trying to shut Him out through stubborn silence, I had in fact been unable to do so completely. In the end I was just too familiar and besotted with His presence. Fully suprised, I did notice, that apparently, the Living One Father wasn't even offended by my harsh acting out. On the contrary, and astonishingly so, He even dropped that "external reply sentence" in my mind with a slight undertone of guarded respect! Making it clear, that in case I would decide to stay mad at Him, He would not hold that against me. Go figure!
These testing grounds are here to stay. Anchoring me from on high, inspiring me with trust. The real deal. Our sovereign God, He really is in charge with excellent timing. My surrender comes less frantic now. I've come to understand that divine pressurizing of the soul somewhat resembles the process of cutting diamonds.
Copyright Artborne Erdeborn / Merlevede