Alison Dearborn (American, Contemporary). "Ancient Ibex Rush" acrylic paint on canvas, 2007. Signed on lower right and again with title on verso. A captivating painting by Alison Dearborn whose works pay tribute to magnificent creatures of the animal kingdom in a manner inspired by prehistoric cave paintings. In "Ancient Ibex Rush" Dearborn presents a herd of ibexes trotting toward the left over a concentric circular motif, their horned mountain goat-like bodies overlapping to convey the great number of creatures in this group. All is delineated in brilliant shades of violet, magenta, gold, and sienna with warm glowing light that suggests firelight, a bridge across time, or perhaps a transition between seasons. Dearborn's technique involves painstakingly applying thin layers of translucent paint, and the resulting textures give the impression that the composition was painted on stone. A striking painting capturing the magic of Paleolithic paintings that decorated the walls and ceilings of caves such as Lascaux and Altamira. Size: 42" L x 60" W (106.7 cm x 152.4 cm)
The meaning and purpose of cave art has posed a mystery for decades and is still up for debate. Since most surviving images depict animals, some scholars have linked these parietal paintings to the practice of hunting - serving as an attempt to control the animals early humans hunted via visual representations. However, others have challenged this interpretation, arguing that since the locations of these cave paintings were oftentimes difficult to access, far from the locations where early humans were thought to live, and only accessible by crawling through long circuitous passageways, it is possible that cave paintings were part of a religious ritual. This remote placement in concert with the immense scale and grandeur of cave paintings have led scholars to suggest that these sanctuaries were holy places reserved for spiritual practices. Interestingly, abstract symbols like the one Dearborn included in this work have been found throughout prehistoric caves as well as on the bone implements within the caves, and some experts believe these symbols may represent early forms of written language.
Provenance: private Boulder, Colorado, USA collection
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#175313
Condition
Superb overall. Signed on lower right and again with title on verso. Stunning painting that extends to the sides of the canvas. Fit with suspension wire on verso and ready to display.