Copyright 2008 Montana T. Black All rights reserved.
Angels Unveiled Artists Statement
This series of paintings are my attempt to talk about the divinity of humanity and all the living beings on this planet. I have each human angel communing with an animal, bird, or fish etc. That is a reference to St. Frances of Assisi and his enlightened understanding of the oneness of all life. I use angel wings and halos around the figures because they have been a symbol of divinity in western culture for thousands of years. The grid is used to flatten part of the background and to reference the sacred geometry on which the figures are emerging. The religious paintings of the Catholic Church used gold leaf to create an other-worldly feel which had the effect of flattening the background and making the saints look like they were pasted on top. I have always found that effect interesting and visually satisfying. The mostly monochromatic nature of these paintings helps me to get the kind of atmosphere I feel works with this subject.
We are one. It is the belief of separateness that keeps most humans from recognizing their true selves and the truth of the world they live in. Belief in separateness is what causes suffering. It is what causes people to create suffering for themselves and others. I have been talking about this with my art for some time. This show is my continued attempt to illustrate ordinary, extraordinary, every day people and the fact that by the very nature of their existence, they are divinity incarnate. You, reading this, you are Holy. The planet you live on and all that exists here is Holy. The Universe we are hurling through at tremendous speed is Holy. We keep trying to make God and Angels something separate and removed from us and that Heaven is some where else. It simply is not true. The Hopi have a wonderful saying, “We are the ones we have been waiting for…” You are the one you have been waiting for. Perhaps we will get closer to this understanding by doing what Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world...” or be the divinity you wish to see in the world. . Enjoy this show and I hope that you walk away a little closer to seeing the amazing Grace that you are every time you look in the mirror and the amazing Grace around you every time you look into the face of a loved one, a friend or stranger or at this beautiful planet.
Metta Prayer:
May all beings be peaceful.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings awaken to the light of their true nature.
May all beings be free.
Namaste, ( Nom-a-stay; Sanskrit for “The Divinity in me honors the Divinity in you”)
Montana
Montana Black is a Nevada native and has a BFA from UNLV. Currently lives and works in Boulder City, Nevada with her husband Ken.
Angels Unveiled
TM