"Dragondance" explores the ‘energy of the mark’ through the visual rhythms of life and music.
"In de Minor" Oil on canvas. 2017. !27x71cm,
Shown at "Impressions" Barbados National Exhibition, Carifesta XIII, Morningside Gallery,Bridgetown, Barbados. 2017. Curated by Nerys Rudder. Link to "Impressions" catalogue. Price upon Request: lilian.sten@gmail.com |
"Crescendo" Oil on canvas 2017. 127x71cm..
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A tiny painting of a blissed out Dancing Dragon lent it’s name to my entire solo show at the Aquarela Gallery, Port of Spain, Trinidad 1995. This 'Dancing Dragon Energy' has remained an steady undercurrent in my work, in my new work it becomes the main force.
This is not about the Dragon in Western mythology, the greedy, violent, fire-breathing, gold hoarding beast, who terrorizes towns and villages and has to be vanquished by the sword of a heroic prince, or the guile of a beautiful princess.
It is about the Dragon of the East, an altogether different being.
Its joyful cavorting creates seasons and weather. It is loved and respected as a symbol of ‘Chi’ , the energizing life force at the very center of the universe.
The bright red Dragon of Welsh Heraldry is part of that joyous tradition.I understand and identify with both.
But the main inspiration for my new work are the 'Dragons' of the Trinidad Carnival, the 'Dragons' that dance up a storm, the ones that I know and love best.
This is not about the Dragon in Western mythology, the greedy, violent, fire-breathing, gold hoarding beast, who terrorizes towns and villages and has to be vanquished by the sword of a heroic prince, or the guile of a beautiful princess.
It is about the Dragon of the East, an altogether different being.
Its joyful cavorting creates seasons and weather. It is loved and respected as a symbol of ‘Chi’ , the energizing life force at the very center of the universe.
The bright red Dragon of Welsh Heraldry is part of that joyous tradition.I understand and identify with both.
But the main inspiration for my new work are the 'Dragons' of the Trinidad Carnival, the 'Dragons' that dance up a storm, the ones that I know and love best.
"The Sacred and the Profane" . Oil on canvas.2016. All rights reserved. Sten.2016.
"The Sacred and the Profane' is a series of three works, which were inspired by the Kamau Brathwaite poems "The Making of the Drum", (MASKS- Libations), "Veve" (ISLANDS-Beginning) and "J'ouvert" (ISLANDS-Beginning).
The paintings changed appearance, meaning and name many times, as I worked on them, on and off, for three full years. The last of the series, #3, was re-named by the client who bought it. She used to play Mas with Peter Minshall and the painting reminded her of Carnivals past.
"The Sacred and the Profane" ( the name of one of Minshall's Kings) was a good fit, and that was how all three paintings got their final titles.
The paintings changed appearance, meaning and name many times, as I worked on them, on and off, for three full years. The last of the series, #3, was re-named by the client who bought it. She used to play Mas with Peter Minshall and the painting reminded her of Carnivals past.
"The Sacred and the Profane" ( the name of one of Minshall's Kings) was a good fit, and that was how all three paintings got their final titles.
"The Sacred and the Profane" #1. The Making of the Drum. Oil on canvas . 2016. Private Collection, Barbados. All rights reserved.Sten. 2016.
"The Sacred and the Profane" #2. Veve. Oil on canvas. 2016. Private Collection, Barbados. Allrights Reserved. Sten, 2016.
"The Sacred and the Profane" #3. J'ouvert. Oil on canvas. 2016.
Private Collection.Barbados. All rights reserved. Sten, 2016.
lilian.sten@gmail.com
Sten Print-on-Demand Original Design:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/liliansten
Private Collection.Barbados. All rights reserved. Sten, 2016.
lilian.sten@gmail.com
Sten Print-on-Demand Original Design:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/liliansten