Oils, egg tempera, copper & silver leaf on mounted canvas, 80cm x 60cm/ 31.5” x 23.6”. 2014.
Original Available, $3600 (Enquiries odxob@yahoo.com). Published in ‘Distillatio’ (Fulgur Press 2015).
Limited large Print available $33 (details below symbolism text)
Hindu Sarasvati and Celtic Brigid have deep affinities as Goddesses of the Word, of Poetry and other Arts -plus the Alchemical symbol of the white swan.
Both are Muse deities, mostly in relation to poetry and the Bardic arts (which conjoin words with music). They have in common Water as a primary element, the latter being originally the name of one the three great rivers of India, and Brigid being the traditional guardian of the Holy Well across Celtic lands.
However Brigid is also associated with fire, which counterpoints well the water. Without the spark of inspiration, words may flow but not ignite. Brigid invokes the ‘fire in the head’ of the poet, ovate or bard, passion mingled with knowledge to create.
The other primary Art Brigid presides over besides Poetry is Blacksmithing, the art of forging form in fire. Related of course, but also more directly practical. So instead of the traditional mala (Hindu beads upon which mantras are counted) of more abstracted spirituality, Sarasvati-Brigid’s fourth hand here holds the Smith’s tongs, symbolising the practical aspect of the Arts -the manifestation of vision and inspiration into tangible form.
