The Edmonds Arts Commission presents an exhibit of Mayan Zodiac Paintings by Carla Dimitriou now through Oct. 30.
The Mayans, or Mesoamericans, had their own zodiac. Twenty suns are said to be the body of the Mayan Zodiac. Each of these suns is represented by a sacred “glyph” or symbol. Traditional Mayan translations refer to these 20 suns as the Gods of the Calendar. Each sun embodies a personality of characteristics including shadow aspects and supposedly created definition in Mayan reality in much the same way that Carl Jung’s archetypal arrangements can be said to define “reality” in our Western culture.
Each of the suns has a definitive purpose in creation and exists without hierarchy. This would explain the frequent use of a circular sculpted stone to portray the calendar in its ancient original transcription.
This collection of paintings represents 13 of the 20 suns. The glyphs were thought to be so powerful that one could absorb the attributes of each glyph or “god” simply by drawing it. Dimitriou admits to trying that idea on for size while making this work.
Over the years Dimitriou has explored a variety of artist techniques including encaustic, oil on paper, and ceramic sculpture. Dimitriou is a graduate of Cornish College of the Arts and the Vermont College of Norwich University.
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