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Title: Illuminations as in Nirwana
Year: 2010-2011
Size: 190cm X 540cm
Year: 2010-2011
Size: 190cm X 540cm
‘Illuminations as in Nirwana’ renders Devali’s state of mind and revels in her inner consciousness. The work documents the flow of Light in her transition from a chaotic life to one of harmony, in another religious dimension. The artist seeks to open a dialogue about an important issue of life today.
Illumination and religion after all play an important role in human life, which manifests itself in believing in a higher power. For twelve world religions Devali depicts powerful symbols that refers to getting into the highest state of enlightenment or Nirwana, with the sole goal of becoming one with the Light.
By portraying The Resurrection of Christ for example Devali refers to Easter, the most important feast in Christianity. The traditional egg, which Devali uses here to enclose all religions, appears in lots of creation myths and symbolises not only the first ever beginning of the cosmos and the world, but also renewal, rebirth and a new approach.
Also, eggs and rabbits have an important meaning in a lot of cultures as a fertility symbol. By visualizing a sensual easter bunny, Devali puts the serious tone of this religiously inspired work in perspective. However, the artist gives the playful ‘bunny’ a deeper meaning as well: she portrays the soul of the character on the far left.
This woman refers to current human consciousness. She reflects upon her life and is continuously in search for pure, deep contemplation, hope and experience. For this she calls upon God, who stands by all-embracing cosmic love. Indeed, He grants everyone His love, regardless of descent, skin color or the way that we believe in him.
In this work Janice Devali gives the term ‘illumination’ both a literal and a figurative meaning. The theme and the depth in her work inspires exploration and reflection.