PeregrinationsBy

Rebecca Maynard

Inspired by Conference Of the Birds

(Manteq at-Tair)By

Farid ud Din AttarC1177

Titles from the translation by Afkham Dabandi

The current series of paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media work titled ‘Peregrinations’ is an attempt to reconcile aspects of my artistic, spiritual and intellectual journeys through the allegory of the bird. Birds have become a personal symbol for my migration between lands and cultures and for the hatching of ideas and growth. As humans, we watch the flight of birds with envy. To me they represent freedom and an unattainable physical ability to explore the realm beyond the clouds. I am interested in the depiction of birds because of their unique relationship with humankind and for their distinguishing features - their movement, shapes and colors. As with other winged creatures, the bird in mythology is a communicator and bearer of celestial messages. They may even represent the darting flux and mutability of thought itself, of imagination and an emerging spirituality. For me, the spiritual journey entails the untangling and exploration of the nature of belief, involving a meditative state that accompanies the act of art making.

Aren’t you aware that life, from birth to death, Is little more than one precarious breath?

2007Oil on canvas24cm x 18cm

A Search For The Divine In NatureBackground to work

How long will you seek for Beauty here?Seek the unseen, and Beauty will appear

2007Oil on canvas24cm x 18cm

‘Peregrinations’ is inspired by the poem, ‘Conference of the Birds’, by the 12th century Persian poet-mystic, Farid ud Din Attar. The poem metaphorically maps out the journey of the human spirit in its quest for truth. Attar was able to illustrate an extremely mystical and complex belief system with an allegorical tale that begins with the birds of the world gathering together to seek a king. The Hoopoe bird is the symbol of inspiration, and after he tells the congregation of the great Simurgh, a mythical bird, he is elected as their leader and guides them through a treacherous journey to reach their desired king. The conclusion of their quest brings an unexpected revelation - the birds discover that the Simurgh has been with them all along, guiding them throughout the journey. It is thus not a mythical bird that they meet, but an image of themselves, reflected.

Unity In Multiplicity

2008Oil on canvas

180cm x 180cm

Unity In Multiplicity

(detail)

2008Oil on canvas

180cm x 180cm

If you are summoned by the distant callPursue the fading sound until you fall

2008Oil on canvas

180cm x 180cm

Whoever can evade the Self transcendsThis world as a lover he ascends

2008Oil on canvas

180cm x 180cm

Your lure is love, and when the jess

is tied,Submit, and be forever satisfied

2008Oil on canvas

180cm x 180cm

The bird of aspiration spreads its wingsAnd quickly soars beyond terrestrial things

2008Oil on canvas

Diptych 204cm x 120cm

Outsoar both this world and the next, and there,Released from both, take off the hood you wear

2008Oil on canvas

Diptych 180cm x 70cm

We have no freedom to achieve our goal

Until from Self and fools we free the soul

2009Oil on canvas

120cm x 150cm

If you would soar beyond the circling sky

First free yourself from thoughts of

‘me’ and ‘I’

1999Oil , wax and

ocher on canvas180cm x 180cm

Our pathways differ – no bird ever knows

The secret route by which another goes

2008

Series of 9Oil on canvas

Each piece 40cm x 40cm

Our pathways differ – no bird ever knowsThe secret route by which another goes

2008

(detail)

‘I am a mirror set before your eyes,

And all who come before my splendor see

Themselves, their own unique reality’

2008Wax and mixed media on paper

120cm x 160cm

details

No wealth could bringThe substance I receive from wisdom’s king

2008Series of 12

Wax and mixed media on paperEach piece 30cm x 30cm

As flesh remains an agent of the soul,Your soul’s an agent of the sacred whole

2008Series of 12

Wax and mixed media on papereach piece 30cm x 30cm

Once past the veil you understand the Way

From which the crowd’s glib courtiers blindly stray

Without light projection

This is no journey for the indolent-Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent

2008

Series of 6Oil on paper, gold leaf frames

Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

This is no journey for the indolent-Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent

2008

Series of 6Oil on paper, gold leaf frames

Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

This is no journey for the indolent-Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent

2008

Series of 6Oil on paper, gold leaf frames

Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

And some were so cast down that then and there

They turned aside and perished in despair

2009

Charcoal, pastel and acrylic paint on paper

222cm x 150cm

Series of three dimensional pieces collectively titled

Manifestation of theQuest

What is Real?What Is Fiction?

2009Assemblage of feathers and

bottles in wood and

acrylic display case

51cm x 55cm x 35cm

Birth Of An Idea

2009Assemblage of

wood, handmade paper and grass

in wood and acrylic display

case

35cm x 30cm x 25cm

Conference Of The Birds(Tribute to Farid ud Din

Attar)

2009Watercolour on paper

Book bound with feathers3cm x 3cm

Display case made from wood and acrylic

22cm x 24 cm x 15cm

The Empty Nest(Tribute to Farid ud Din Attar

2009

Sticks, debris from birds’ nests, feathers

120cm x 120cm x 60cm

A Bird’s Eye View

1997

Wax, ocher, charcoal,

pigment and clay on paper

each piece 30cm x 30cm

Biography

Rebecca Maynard Born 1971 Australia

Rebecca Maynard studied Fine Art at the University of New South Wales, College of Fine Art in Sydney, Australia. In 1992 she was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Art and in 1993 she gained a Master of Art. Since then Rebecca has studied Arts Management and has obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Visual Arts Education.

Rebecca has exhibited her artwork in Australia, England, Taiwan, Indonesia and The United Arab Emirates. Her work has been documented in various national and international art magazines, such as Art Monthly Australia and Artist’s Newsletter (UK). She has received a wide range of media interest for her exhibitions, including newspaper, radio and on-line interviews in Australia, the UK and the USA.

In addition to her personal artwork, Rebecca has designed sets and costumes for the Jakarta Opera Company. In 1993 she received a Marketing Grant from the National Association for the Visual Arts Australia which contributed to establishing a contemporary art space and studios in Sydney. In 1997 Rebecca co-founded VOID Gallery in London.

Rebecca’s artwork hangs in the permanent collections of Royal Bank of Scotland, DIFC Dubai, and the Faculty of Law, University of NSW Australia.