Sunday, November 2, 2008

Spiritual Community


Spiritual Community © Lloyd Pollard 1994
24"x18"
pastel on paper

First exhibited in 1995 solo show.
Burkes Picture Framing Gallery, Toronto.
First blog publication.


A community is a closely knit support oriented structure.

Spiritual Community visually depicts the physical and spiritual symbols from the Yoruba belief system that combine to form the ideal African based community.

Central to the image is the "God Tree" or "Spider Tree". This is the symbol around which the community attaches its history, soul and spiritual beliefs. In addition it represents the tree of knowledge.

Within each home is a symbol of the dual belief system that is carried by many African communities: the Christian cross and the bottle tree (acknowledgment of the world of spirits).

Beneath the ground are two royal pythons, symbols of wisdom, the "life-giver" and messengers of the gods.

The white spirit trees represent the ancestors who have passed yet remain an active presence and overseers to the community's future direction.


Lloyd Pollard . September 1994








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