“Illuminate I could, and so Illuminate I did” - Lucille Clifton

This is based on the Hermit Tarot Card . I like the idea of lanterns being both signaling devices (like Paul Revere)or as a way to discover secrets in the dark. The hermit turns his lantern inward but the light still illuminates his surroundings. I think lanterns are both signals, reaching across from the void to others, and also detectors, probing into the unseen. The eccentric greek Diogenes of Sinope used to bring a lantern with him during the day to try and find an honest man. The hermit in this piece is Jean Charles , a crew member from the “Raft of the Medusa” before it is rescued. The shining lanterns in response are police stations aflame speckling the sky like fireflies ...those are some things i was thinking about when I made this.

#lightbringer #prometheus #nightvision#smokesignal #lighthouse #beacon#signallamp #lantern #thehermit #tarot#diogenesofsinope #lucilleclifton#raftofthemedusa #gericault#jeancharles #paulrevere #3rdprecinct#burnhollywoodburn #fireflies#theresalight#longdistantcommunication #pandemic#covidartmuseum #abolition #acab