Untitled I (Space) Final Frontier 2018 Painting

Written in the art and architecture of the indigenous people of Central America, one theme pervades the ancient pyramids, palaces and holy sites - a character known as Quetzalcoatl. He was, as his name indicates, a feathered serpent- a flying reptile, much like a dragon, who was a boundary-maker (and transgressor) between Earth and sky. He was a creator deity who contributed to the creation of Mankind. During the 1960s, a number of art historians and scientists speculated that Quetzalcoatl may have been an astronaut who visited Earth, bringing the knowledge and science to build great pyramids with astrological orientations and what appears from satellite images to be immense landing fields. Nothing was ever proven. In the 1970s there followed a number of movies around the theme ‘In search of the ancient astronauts’. ‘Final Frontier’ is a visual discourse covering space exploration, ancient rock markings of indigenous people and our relationship with the universe. The works open a dialogue between imagination and reality, exposing our vulnerability and shortcomings as humans - from ancient tribes that have disappeared forever to the global challenges we face today. Yet we also see endurance and inspired vision through the use of iconic imagery documenting the momentous achievements of the Apollo space missions, connections between old and new ideas of deities, transfixions with ancient gods and modern day idealism. The series reflects a persevering fascination with the skies, from ancient rock markings to our modern desire to expand the boundaries of our understanding. Parallels further manifest between astronauts who explore new worlds and the pioneers of the 1700s discovering and claiming new lands - which in turn led to the persecution of indigenous tribes. From early rigid beliefs of how the world and stars were constructed to the enduring legacy of missions to space and the speculation, humour and scepticism within today’s science fiction, the human spirit expresses an inherent desire and yearning to make sense of the mysteries of the cosmos. ‘Final Frontier’ places this dialogue at its centre.