Sacred Sun, Sacred Moon 1975

Editor: This colored-pencil drawing is titled *Sacred Sun, Sacred Moon*, by David Chethlahe Paladin, created in 1975. I'm struck by the geometric shapes and the way they seem to suggest a figure, maybe even two figures connected. It’s abstract but still feels very human. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a profound exploration of duality, mirroring the sun and moon as powerful archetypes. The geometric shapes act as glyphs, encoding a story. Notice the dominance of the circle; across cultures, it symbolizes cycles, wholeness, and the eternal. But what about its fracturing here? Does that disrupt the sense of harmony for you, or enhance it? Editor: I think the fracturing makes it feel more dynamic, less static. It's like these celestial bodies are constantly shifting, influencing each other. Curator: Exactly! Consider also the figure’s facial features – or the suggestion of them. The closed eyes. Is this passive contemplation, or a state of visionary insight? Perhaps both. Paladin is channeling the cultural memory, giving new shape to very ancient symbolic meanings. These repeating forms resonate through Indigenous Americas artwork. The lines contain the form but they are the form, suggesting a cosmic connectivity. Editor: That's fascinating. I didn't initially pick up on the depth of symbolism, but now I'm seeing so much more. Curator: These images can activate powerful emotional and spiritual associations. It's a dance between personal interpretation and collective cultural inheritance. Editor: I’ll definitely look at Paladin’s other works; now I realize how important context is when trying to decipher the emotional impact of art.