Lois Cordelia's Page

Some examples of my Rasta and Reggae inspired artwork :-) Please visit the website links for more info. Jah guide!

RECENT WORK

Prayer, tri-colour silhouette paper-cut, cut by hand using a scalpel. September 2009.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_rastatricolourprayer.htm
For Julian, with love.

The Sunrise (see below), silhouette cut-out in gold foil card, cut by hand using a scalpel. August 2008. http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_arkangels.htm Inspired by the Congos' song, "Ark of the Covenant" ("Every morning the Black Sun rise... It shines out of the Ark of the Covenant..."

Fiery Lion, silhouette cut-out in black paper, cut by hand using a scalpel. July 2008
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_leo.htm

PORTRAITS

Portrait of Peter Tosh, Pastel on mid-tone paper, Size A3, 2005. Based on a photograph.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_petertosh.htm

Portrait of the Wailers Trio, Acrylic on board, Size A1, 2006. Loosely based on photographs.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_wailers.htm

Portrait of Burning Spear, Acrylic on board, Size A2, 2006. Based on a photograph,
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_spear.htm

Portrait of Rita Marley, Acrylic on board, Size A2, 2006. Based on a photograph
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_rita.htm

Lizzie ("I-zie"), acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 in., 2008. From life.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_izie.htm

Self-Portrait with Headscarf, Acrylic on Canvas, 20 x 16 in., 2008. From life, using a mirror.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_spheadsc.htm

Mahlon, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 16 in., 2008. From life.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/port_mahlon.htm

SILHOUETTE ART

The Moon Tree, silhouette cut-out design, 2006
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_gnarledtree+moon.htm

Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, silhouette cut-out design, 2006
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_lojtshirt.htm

Tree of Life ("Roots"), silhouette design, 2006
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_rootstreeoflife.htm

Jah Rainbow, silhouette cut-out design, 2002
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_jahrainbow.htm

Lion of Judah Tricolour, silhouette cut-out design, 2006
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_loj.htm

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace, silhouette cut-out design, 2001
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_shadrach.htm

Daniel in the Lions' Den, silhouette cut-out design, 2001
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_daniel.htm

Samson, paper cut-out silhouette, Size A3, 2008
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_samson.htm

Samson's great physical strength lay in his long hair. He became weak when his head was shaved while he slept. But his hair grew back, and one last time he prayed to God to renew his strength so he could avenge himself on his enemies. Leaning against the pillars of their temple, he brought it crashing down upon them all, killing himself in the process.

The image is strongly inspired by the Rastafarian tradition. Hence I have depicted the hair as matted locks or roots that connect him back to the energies of Mother Earth.


Tribute to the Front-Line, silhouette cut-out in black paper, approx size 15 x 15cm, 2008
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_frontline.htm

Inspired by the Christian tradition of the Crown of Thorns, and by the logo of the Frontline record label, renowned for its challenging, subversive themes.

Christ challenges established convention on many levels: despite submitting to his torturers and to death itself, he grasps the Crown of Thorns with the defiant gesture of a clenched fist and rises triumphant, demonstrating humankind's potential to defeat enemies and obstacles, whether physical or spiritual.


Daniel in the Lions' Den (version ii), silhouette cut-out in black paper, size A3, 2008
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_daniel+lions.htm

Cover Version: "Selassie I Forever Dub", Silhouette cut-out on 12" record sleeve (Max Romeo: Selassie I Forever). Cut by hand using a scalpel.
http://www.loiscordelia.com/silh_cvforeverdub.htm

Part of a series of "Cover Versions": In the true spirit of “cover versions”, dub music originally evolved out of reggae, when the latter was cut into fragments and re-forged in rhythmic patterns. Similarly, I have created these “cover versions" of some favourite reggae and dub albums by carving out silhouette-style cut-out forms, using a scalpel, to suggest echoing layers of superimposed imagery. The silhouette elements partly leap out into three dimensions from the two-dimensional "canvas" of the vinyl record cover.

Max Romeo's album Selassie I Forever is an expression of faith in the divinity of humankind. The symmetrical silhouette hinges on the axis of the “I”, mystical symbol of unity. This cover-version incorporates the image of the sacred ark of the covenant, guarded by two angelic beings, emerging from two dimensions into three.

PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS

"Ad Infinitum" (Latin: "Towards Infinity"), pastel on mid-tone paper, 70 x50 cm
http://www.loiscordelia.com/padr_adinfinitum.htm

From imagination. Inspired by the ancient African tradition of the veneration of ancestors, this painting suggests the concept of the endless succession of generations across time. If we behold the past which is known, rather than the future which is unknown, we gain a true sense of perspective in time, seeing our own place in history. We depend on the efforts of those who have gone before and helped to shape our modern world. In learning to respect the ideas and beliefs of past generations, we may learn from them important and refreshing lessons for today.

"Aslan", pastel on mid-tone paper, Size A3, 2006
http://www.loiscordelia.com/padr_aslan.htm

Photos of InI :-)