Raissa Bailey
Raissa Bailey
Artist Statement
I work as an artist and shaman. My work draws influence from the oldest sources I can find. From the I Ching - Book of Changes, prehistoric paleolithic art, and ancient mythology, all these inspirations leave trails of wisdom that I explore and incorporate in my art. The female form is the unifying theme that brings these ancient elements together. I believe that my function as an artist is to envision a mythologization of the expanding universe, these visions come from reflection, meditation and a connection to the spirit world.
My process in art making is spiritual and I begin with lighting candles, meditation and an invitation to the Divine to join me. Through that connection I have found links such as the way the ‘Water’ symbol of the I Ching with its stacked lines -yin broken, yang solid, yin broken, could become an abstraction of the Venus of Hohle Fels with her large breasts (yin), large stomach (yang), and large thighs (yin). In Greek mythological Venus sprung from water, a metaphor for the subconscious, seeing the water symbol from ancient Chinese wisdom linked to the one of the oldest known art pieces quickly became a primary exploration in my work.
Dating back to as old as 35-40,000 BCE, the Venus of Hohle Fels marks a decided turning point in our evolution through the awakening of our creative potential. The I Ching is also one of the oldest books in the world and its yin/yang lines point to the fundamental duality and balance of the universe. By exploring these links, I am attempting to gain greater understanding of the importance of the powerful feminine within ourselves, our society and our environment. Through art I seek to find balance and to visualize that which is beyond words.
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Upcoming Exhibitions:
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