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Spindles of NecessityA dividing cell goes through beautiful and dramatic changes. In this series of five main stages of cell division, a goddess has been created to presides over these events. She is modeled after the Greek goddess Ananke as she appeared in one of Plato's visions for his republic (Plato's Republic book 10). Her spinning wheel is at the center of control. As in a real cell, threads emerge from the wheel as the control center goes from a small incidental part, to a grand elaborate structure, and back down to a small part at the end of the process.
Depiction of the cycle of life is a prevalent theme in mythology. Scenes from the lives of cyclic greek characters after images from ancient greek pottery and wall frescoes appear across the bottom in sepia tones.
Special thanks to Dr. Julie Canman for her scientific consulting on the series.
See more pages of information on this series.
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Spindles of Necessity #1; (Prophase) oil on canvas 3' x 4' 2005 Collection of the Artist, $5,700 framed
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| Spindles of Necessity #2; (Metaphase) oil on canvas 3' x 4' 2005 Collection of the Artist, $5,700 framed Ananke was a weaver, goddess of necessity and mother of the fates. In Plato's dream, she spins threads out from her spinning wheel in the sky, and sends them down to capture and reel in souls standing on earth. The setting sun symbolizes the degrading cell nucleus, which disappears during the cell division process. The birth of Dionysus from the thigh of Zeus is shown across the bottom. |
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Spindles of Necessity #3; (Anaphase) oil on canvas 3' x 4' 2005 Collection of the Artist, $5,700 framed The goddess of cell division is now reeling up souls into the sky, like chromosomes would be drawn to the sides of a dividing cell. The cell is becoming pinched at the middle, in preparation for division into two separate cells. A scene from the life of Dionysus is pictured across the bottom.. |
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Spindles of Necessity #4; (Late Anaphase) oil on canvas 3' x 4' 2005 Collection of the Artist, $5,700 framed The souls (chromosomes) are now at the opposite ends of the cell - a set for each side. The reformation of the cell nuclei are echoed by the rising moon and sun. As the cell prepares to rip apart, it pinches dramatically at the waist. A scene from the death of Dionysus is pictured across the bottom left, and Dionysus as a bunch of grapes is on the right. |
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Spindles of Necessity #5; (Telophase) oil on canvas 3' x 4' 2005 Collection of the Artist, $5,700 framed The cell has now divided into two cells. Across the bottom, Persephone is pictured with Hades, with whom she must spend half of each year. The divided cell reflects her thoughts of living in two different worlds. |