Curiosity of Cabinets 2: leVIl spiRIt

Second in a series of works based around original Victorian cabinet card photographs which have been decorated by Mike Richardson. This a striking statement pondering existence and mortality.

There is a three-dimensional construction including sections decoupaged with vintage maps and verses from the Book of Common Prayer alongside a mounted disc with an illustration from a 1940s AMORC publication.

Heavy impasto in abstracted flames of blue, white, orange and gold surrounds a small figure representing ascension to a higher state of being. A broad, golden bolt references fate and highlights the cabinet card which has echoes of religious icons, resplendent with gold rays and a background of cosmic clouds.

The cabinet card also has the printed text “What is it like – like a mist – like…” taken from a Josep Conrad short story paperback affixed.

The piece is designed to be hung unframed and is signed (with the artist’s monograph PTL) and dated August 2022. Certificate of authenticity to the named buyer with date and signature of the artist.