A NEW exhibition launching in Dunster is exploring the ‘wonder and strangeness’ of life.
Set in the first floor of the town’s Medieval Gallery, “The Stairway to Visionary and Spiritual Art” puts the work of local artist Jennifer Price at its heart.
Gallery curator Steve Beer said the display would draw on spiritual themes to “explore the mystery and joy of existence.” Commenting, he said: “We are exhibiting artworks which are an expression of the wonder and the deep strangeness of what it is to be alive and the laughing childlike rediscovery of the beautiful and ephemeral truth of it.
“Central to this is the artwork of Jennifer Price which explores the mystery and joy of existence, the unbounded explosion of life possible within us all, and the liberation felt with its release.
“The soul freed from the accumulated weight of culture and personal baggage and the constriction of our physical selves. Around this display, will be a magic circle of loving protection, an older world of little domestic altars.
“It will hark back to the assemblage of effigies of Roman House Gods in homes of that epoch, to diverse ancient protective deities from other cultures, that ward off negativity in whatever form it takes.
“Places that are intimate and personal, from many cultural and religious sources. From the ‘Krasny Ugol’ of the Christian Eastern Orthodox Church; personal protective corners filled with Icons found in homes across vast swaths of Europe and the Near East, to statues of Ancient Chinese protective spirits that present a bulwark against dark forces, to Pagan shrines that call upon many people in their search for their spiritual origins and a shield against the chaos of the modern world.
“All are welcome in consultation with the curators to make a peaceful contribution to this ongoing prayer for peace, tolerance and love.”
Mr Beer said the assembled artworks were “life-enhancing and life-enforcing and demand to be looked at.” But he added it wasn't’ just ‘peace and love’ but contained a deeper meaning which should be considered and explored.
The exhibition is set to launch on Friday, March 29.