Ceremonial
Robes
Developing a
conceptual series
using encaustic
by Rodney Thompson
Portfolio
Rodney Thompson
18
“These are the Ceremonial Robes
for the Priesthood of Shamans,
Magicians, and Wizards of our
time…”
While most of my 2-D
art is minimalist and relates to a
sense of quietude, depicting vast
spaciousness and unrestrained
possibilities, when I indulge in
sculpture it is often for social or
political commentary.
This series of wall-hung
sculptures is entitled “Ceremonial
Robes”. Its origin, like
many of my sculptures, began
when an object “called to me”.
This is a phrase that comes to
mind when I see some thing
or material that evokes a deep
emotional response within me.
I frequently do not understand
the exact nature of my response
initially but I recognize it as
touching something important in
my psyche. I will save the object
in my studio and live with it,
sometimes for years, allowing it
to speak to me, and eventually it
may find a new home in my art.
In this case it was a small
package of electronic resistors
hanging in a display at Radio
Shack. The neat rows of brightly
color-banded beads on straight
wires immediately caught my
eye. Their precious beauty
intrigued me as they are usually
hidden away inside boxes, unappreciated
for their aesthetics.
I find fascinating how
large numbers of small objects
placed together transcend their
individual nature and become a
new material rich in texture. The
visual qualities of these resistors
suggested beaded garments to
me. While taking objects out of
context from their normal use
and presenting them in new
Ceremonial Robe #3
Encaustic, electronic parts, teabag
paper, chop sticks, hake brushes,
paper. 49 ¼” x 50”
Ceremonial Robe #5
Encaustic, electronic parts,
teabag paper, coffee filters, paper.
48” x 50 ¼”
Fall
Ceremonial Robe #7
Encaustic, electronic parts, chop
sticks, paper. 54” x 50 ¼”
www.EAINM.com