1994-
Visions of the Arawaks

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1994
Release of video 'Visions of the Arawaks', including
100 paintings of the Indian series with poetry by Penny
and original music by Frank Menusan, 70 minutes. Edited
at National Video Industries, New York, distributed
by Mystic Fire Video, NY.
The original painting reproduced on the cover is entitled
'Anacaona', acrylic, gold leaf and macaw feathers on
canvas, 28" x 24".
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"She is beautiful, radiant and serene, noble of aspect
and royal carriage, her delicate traits underlined
with determination. Her smile lightly sketched, she
casts an enigmatic glance our way, thoughtful, distant,
but at the same time scrutinizing. "What happened
to us? " she seems to want to say. And if you pursue
this contemplative dialogue with her, she seems suddenly
to say,"And you, what is happening to you?"
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Who is speaking? Is it Anacaona, this Amerindian princess
from Hispaniola, crowned with golden feathers, heroine
of another time, martyr of a people who have disappeared?
Or is it Penny Slinger, the artist who brought this
princess back to life through her painting? Confusion
is easy, especially when these two women are in each
other's presence."
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The Rebirth of a People, Anguilla Life. .
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'Tribal
Patterns' acrylic on wooden panel, 42" x 24"
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1992
'Afrowak Madonna', acrylic on canvas, 20" x 30".
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Hammock
Days , pastel on paper, 26' x 19".
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1998
'The Conversation', pastel on paper, 28' x 23".
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'The
Golden Tear', pastel and gold leaf on paper 32" x 28".
- From
1993-94 I went to New York to work on 'Visions of
the Arawaks'. I had always found it difficult as an
artist to break up work that had been created as a
series. To make a video of the whole Arawak series
was like a living catalogue of the pieces and kept
the vision intact. I also loved the opportunity of
directing the way my paintings were presented. Usually
a film-maker creates the documentation of the artist's
work, but I felt that the artist who created the works
should ideally be the one to guide others through
them. The poetry evolved around the spirit in each
painting. The music was 'dreamt' by Frank Menusan,
who performed it on original Arawak instruments. Most
notably, an ancient manatee bone flute that needed
to have permission asked of it before it would bring
forth a note…But that's another story.
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I felt the spirits of the Arawaks guide this whole
creation and I felt thankful and blessed that I was
chosen to be the vehicle. The production of 'Visions
of the Arawaks' marked the completion of the cycle
of my life that was lived in the islands and dedicated
to them.
- To
purchase your copy of 'Visions of the Arawaks' video,
Amerindian Heritage sets of cards and limited edition
prints,click here:
www.goddesschannel.com/store.
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