In occasion of the 57th International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia, Zuecca
Projects is proud to present “Sundoor at World’s End”, an exhibition by the
American artist Slater B. Bradley. The exhibition will be hosted at La Maddalena
(Church of Mary Magdalene) in Venice, from May 11th to November 26th 2017, and is
curated by Alessandro Possati and Don Gianmatteo Caputo.
Since 2015, Bradley has created a body of framed abstract paintings he calls “Solar
Shields”. Using a gold marker, the artist covers each Shield with tens of thousands of
marks, line by line, thereby imbuing his energy into the Shield. The paint of the
marker forges with the photographic image that forms the ground of each work. The
root images function as visual recordings sourced from journeys focusing on the
metaphysics of spiritual ascension undertaken by the artist. Hidden completely by the
artist’s hand or lef partially uncovered revealing location fragments and
compositional details, the Shields transmute into an etheric gold energy field, evoking
electromagnetic waves, spiritual waters and inner auric light.
The “Shield” series link material and spiritual dimensions. For Bradley: “The ‘Shields’
are sized in the Golden Ratio and playing with numerological codes and patterns. The
installation at La Maddalena will specifically relate to planetary movement and alignments within the Zodiac. The Shields are in harmony with the frequency of Natural
Law and Source, and they become a conduit for dimensional energy exchange“.
For this new exhibition, the artist will realize an installation of 7 Shields created
during the past two years. Six “Solar Shields” will be installed in the chambers and a
black “Magnetic Shield” at the south altar of La Maddalena on specially designed
easels.
Bradley’s work deals with notions of cultural icons, transcendence and the de/
reconstruction of symbols. For this project, he focuses his attention on spiritual
icons and the figure of Mary Magdalene, “the Apostle to the Apostles”, as he embeds
the iconography of the Saint and symbolism related to Women, Divine Feminine
energy, and the Moon within this exhibition.
The artist will present a new sculptural work directly inspired by the circular
architecture, dome and oculus of La Maddalena: “Crystal Labyrinth (La
Maddalena)”, 2017, is comprised of 888 rose quartz crystals forming a 7-meter in
diameter labyrinth whose center aligns directly beneath the oculus. Visitors will be
invited to take a spiritual walk – circling to the center – illuminating their inner path
and heart-based consciousness. The Rose is a symbol of a new dawn and the
resurrection of light and renewal of life.
Bradley will be collaborating with the Academy Award nominated composer Dustin
O’Halloran to create a sound installation to sublimate the exhibition.
“Sundoor at World’s End” will include a literary component written by John Major
Jenkins, an expert in the calendar systems used in Mayan Cosmology. The text will go
deeper into the idea of the “Sundoor” and the cultural mythologies surrounding the
transformation of consciousness.
Furthermore, Slater B. Bradley will donate a new work to the Venetian Heritage’s
auction in June of 2017, and the proceeds will be allocated to restoration projects
supported by Venetian Heritage.
Thanks to the collaboration with Fondazione Marcianum, an essay about La
Maddalena, its history and artistic/architectonic profile will enrich the project and the
show’s catalogue.