The cards representing this gallery show The High Priestess, and, at her feet, The Hierophant. The theme of this set is “heresy,” in the sense of unusual, problematic readings of traditional religious texts. When upright, The Hierophant represents orthodoxy, institutions, tradition, and established religious authority. Here, supine and turned counterclockwise, he becomes perhaps the clearest tarot symbol for dissent: questioning doctrine, rejecting institutional religion, i.e. for heresy. Thematically, in the context of the gallery, this card suggests forging one’s own spiritual/creative path rather than accepting inherited beliefs. Similarly, The High Priestess represents hidden wisdom, esoteric knowledge, and mysteries outside official institutions. She further evokes traditions suppressed or excluded by orthodox religion such as Gnosticism and “pagan” spirituality.

With this in mind we approach the imagery of the “Dark Madonna” – also thought of as the Great Whore of Babylon, as well as the aberrant evocations of Christ and various patron Saints. Images shown here are mostly oil paintings on canvas; a few are still in the state of digital sketches.