Majestic bison skulls are the canvas upon which Jackson, WY based artist Lyndsay McCandless Rowan connects viewers to past and present storytelling, symbolism, and ceremony. It is believed that decorating animal skulls began as early as 7200 BC in the Middle East, a tradition that was continued and innovated by North and Central American Indigenous communities for centuries, before becoming a major influence for American Modernist artists starting in the 1920s. View the exhibition online.
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Inspired by Momento Mori – the celebration of life through the acknowledgement of our mortality – this trend has now entered in the contemporary art world, most famously with Damien Hirst’s 100 million dollar diamond-encrusted skull. Now, Lyndsay McCandless Rowan brings her delicate and inspired skull based artworks to Shari Brownfield Fine Art in a show titled Ceremony, which opens December 16th, 2021 from 4-6pm (the artist will be in attendance).
Grounded in science and aesthetics, combined with her curiosity of the metaphysical, Rowan works with ethically sourced skulls and materials, collaborating with them to inform her process. “I think of myself as an artistic interpreter of information from nature- a conduit for healing energies, high vibrations and light codes that I receive” explains Rowan. “All aspects of my process are ceremonial and full of honor for my current medium, bison skulls.”
In the act of ceremony, images and symbols are transformed from mere aesthetic markings to objects imbued with ritual and spiritual meaning. “Bison skulls on their own most commonly represent manifestation and abundance, and with the addition of Rowan’s delicate and decisive drawing, the skulls are transformed into messengers of spirit and mythology.” explains Brownfield. The centerpieces of this exhibition; the lunar and solar eclipse skulls, are laden with dynamic and detailed ink drawings in black, silver and gold, dripping with leather strung feathers and crystals, which become a veritable feast for the eyes and transformative experience for the soul.
Lyndsay McCandless Rowan’s exhibition Ceremony is now open for viewing, with an opening event on Thursday, December 16 from 4-6pm. Rowan, a lifelong creator and arts advocate in our community, will be in attendance.