The Devolution of Mt. Meru
Date1993
Maker
Morris Graves
American, born Fox Valley, Oregon, 1910; died Loleta, California, 2001
Label Text"In the cycles of consciousness a transference occurs in which the masculine qualities and substance give way to the feminine characteristics and substance. The three feminine symbols--the moon, the tantric inverted triangle, and water--are represented. The cycles of weather with its rain are exposing the feminine ascendancy, the moon is coming out of an eclipse, the eternal cycles are moving according to cosmic laws and we are simply working out those laws calling it evolution and manifest destiny.
The more I think of the two paintings, the more I think of seeing the universal cycles coming and going, masculine and feminine polarities going back and forth like a pendulum . . . Mt. Meru symbolizes our eternal self that endures the changing values that go on in and through us." (Robert Yarber, 1995)
Object number94.157
Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Morris Graves and Seattle", November 1, 2001 - October 20, 2002Credit LineGift of Penelope Schmidt
Dimensions38 x 26 in. (96.52 x 66.04 cm)
MediumAcrylic on paper