Ascension of a Woman
Oil on Belgian Linen, 51.5" x 41"
Five ethereal, ebony-toned female figures rise high above the earth. The group represents Eve, and speaks to the idea of all of us ascending, or transcending, not just a single chosen one. In the Lucumí belief system, people learn about themselves and the world during the cycle of life, and continue learning until they have gained enough knowledge in order to transcend into the spiritual realm. The painting and its title Ascension of a Woman challenges Christian theology. Not only can all of us ascend, but the female figures depicted subvert Christian imagery of Christ as the only individual with the power of ascension.
