The Song of Songs

The Crucifiction
The veil of the temple (a wall) was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the passing of the old order for the new. The cross takes the dominant position, although the old law (the tablets with the 10 commandments) is still the basis of the new law. Christ, the son of David was nailed to the cross, a most humiliating form of execution. The humiliation of the jews is echoed in the identification with the yellow star which they had to wear in europe during the Second World War. Mary's strength is sy mbolised by the stone jar used for oil, John the evangelist is the eagle, his writings soaring to higher and higher levels of spirituality like the spiral flight of an eagle towards the sky.

The Tree of Life
The large tree is a symbol of the self. Its roots are reaching down into the Earth and the Waters of the Unconscious. It is surrounded by the Air, swirling in turmoil, taking the leaves heavenwards. The coloured leaves are all my paintings, all my work s, loves, desires, ambitions, actions and toughts. When the tree is totally stripped of all its leaves, it stands with all its branches, its whole being pointing upwards to God. Beyond the Cloud of Unknowing, shines the Sun, the Fire, the Source of all life. A single ray of light pierces through the Cloud, reaching into the lower realms, showing the possibility of knowing and loving the Transcendent Source of all Being even in this life.

The word, EHAD (painted in the sun), is Hebrew for ONE. Its significance is from the most universal of all Jewish prayers: "Hear, oh Israel, the Lord, your God is ONE."

The inclusion of the four elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire emphasises the deep and necessary connectedness of the Self with both the material and the spiritual world.

"Holy Pelican, Jesus, Lord,
Cleanse me, who am unclean, with your blood,
Whose one drop can save the whole word
From all its uncleanness."

The pelican is said to feed its young with blood from its own breast, if there is no other food available. Jesus is likened to the pelican, giving us His Body and Blood in sacramental form. On the painting the blood flows into the chalice from the Cross and from the breast of the pelican. The rays of light and the sailing ship both represent hope given us by the Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.

Before his crucifixion, Jesus took three of his disciples, Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain and was transfigured before them, his garments shining like snow. Moses and Elijah appeared with him, and a voice came from heaven saying : "This is my Son,the Beloved. Listen to him." Moses on the painting is identified by holding the scroll of the Torah, the Holy Scriptures, and the brazen serpent which he held up high in the desert to heal the people of severe illnesses. Elijah has fire behind him, reminding us that he was taken up to heaven in a fiery chariot.