Camie Salaz [RA 2021] : Study for Wisdom, 2021.

SAL record control number: 111323 ;

Record level: Item ;

Record type: Movable work ;

 

Work title: Study for Wisdom  [from artist] ;

Alternate work titles:
2021 : Study for Wisdom  [from artist] ;

Work date: 2021  [from artist] ;

Work creator: Camie Salaz [RA 2021] ;

Work medium: Oil on canvas on panel ;
Work dimensions: 20 x 16 inches [unframed] | 26 x 22 x 1-1/4 inches [framed] ;

Inscribed / signed front: Unsigned.

Verso:

SAL category: Oil ;
SAL sub-category: Allegory ; genre ;

Archives of American Art subjects:

Description of work:
WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE
Our vision for the painting is an explosion of light, a chromatic sunburst through the Tree of Knowledge baring the gift of epiphany.

Compositionally, the sunset is framed with classical architecture to compliment the existing architecture in the library. Three curved arches introduce a balance to the angular library shelving.
All compositional elements of the painting connect the two panels with the purpose of creating one singular, large painting that feels like a balcony or great picture window. The neutral colors and mid tones in the perimeters of the painting compliment the warm browns and reds within the library and prepare the viewer for the vibrant colors of the interior sunscape.

The Sunset is a symbol of our Natural world. The starry skies that envelope the perimeter of the painting are symbolic of our starry universe holding the earth with in: the world of nature cradled with in the cosmos.

The two main allegorical figures in the painting are Wisdom and Knowledge. Knowledge, in the right panel holding the oak tree, represents a station reached, with in ones self, after an amount of time, study, dedication, life experience and care.

Wisdom, more mysterious reflects the starry realm and the ability to bare and understand one’s whole life and the life of humanity; our place and purpose in the universe.
As we studied the meanings of Knowledge and Wisdom, it became clear that Ignorance would need to be included for the sake of a complete idea. We first conceived of each allegorical figure on a linear time line beginning as Ignorant, applying Reason, gaining Knowledge and becoming Wise.

With each of these ways of being we found their growth to be more of an expansion and containment rather than linear separate locations. Wisdom containing all; Knowledge, Reason and Ignorance, like space contains the Earth. Knowledge contains moments of Reason and Ignorance like the oak tree contains the acorn seed; the more I understand, the more I see that which I do not understand.

The Use of the same figure/model for Wisdom, Knowledge, Reason and Ignorance is symbolic of each of these allegories existing within us. Ignorance is the lower figure on the right panel draped over and into the Waters of Forgetting. She is contracted and isolated from a lack of understanding in the gesture of defensiveness or justification. She is small, with nothing to contribute except of what she is made, Ignorance. She can contain nothing outside of herself and is blind to Reason, Knowledge and Wisdom.

PROPOSAL FOR OPENINGS

Where Ignorance is passive to the waters of Forgetting as they wash over her, regurgitating only what she has been told, Reason is applying her own reasoning mind to the action at hand. She works for the sake of something in addition to her self, with care of something other than her self and in doing so, fills the needed waters of Remembering so that they may reach the fountain in defiance of the usual downward flow.

Water, in many Religions and Mythologies is used symbolically for the trials of life and one of my favorites is the waters of Remembering and the waters of Forgetting. The Waters of Forgetting are symbolic of the psychological desolate realm absent of passion, gratitude or responsibility.

Water, liken to life, changes only when my relationship to it changes. when I am small and isolated my life is small and isolated. Ignorance and Reason are in the same pool of water and when Reason applies her mind, industriousness and care, the waters are changed. Reason can be of use and in service.

In the painting we use the Oak Tree as a symbol of knowledge. Knowledge beyond reason implies a kind of study, contemplation, trial and error, process, time spent, a journey of sorts. Knowledge of a thing implies a special relationship to it, an affection, care or deep love. If I truly know a thing then I can apply my knowledge to other things, events, relationships and ideas. A single idea pursued begins as a trunk and branches out in many directions. The roots of the tree of knowledge are grounded in direct life experience as the ever reaching branches dance in the realm of pondering and contemplation. Real knowledge is said to be created by the marriage of the two.

Light, our most prominent character in this painting is a universal symbol for understanding, realization and awakening. What is seen as I move out of the darkness and into the light? The allegorical figure of Knowledge is in a gesture of contemplation, pondering the process of growth from the seed to the tree and as the light of understanding or inner sight, shines through the tree, it brings the gift of epiphany.

In the Allegory of Wisdom, the owl, a gentile guardian, plays a very special part, a symbol of care and affection, the Grandmother of the forest. Great affection for understanding is required in the pursuit of understanding for with out this affection, I can not muster the strength to bear my own ignorance. It is because of this Idea, I have realized why Athena is a warrior. The Goddess of Wisdom must poses a strength beyond imagine to bare the ignorance the ugliness and the Love.

Provenance:
2021 Camie Salaz [RA 2021], the artists .

Exhibition history:
2021 SCNY Allegory today : the library commission November 8-19.

References / citations:

Notes:
– $5,000 USD

 

Document information

Document permalink:
http://salmagundi.org/artwork/?p=111323

Digital-born document number:
SAL.2021.111323

Record birth date:
November 1, 2021

Last updated: November 6, 2021 at 16:38 pm