Work In Progress
Descending Angel/Tarot Hanged Man
Cloth, thread
The descending angel is a staple in art history, from medieval and renaissance religious imagery, to Chagall, Peter Max, Paul Klee, kitschy contemporary prints, and even tattoos. The posture of this descending angel is precisely that of the Hanged Man in the Tarot deck, but inverted. The descending angel can be a harbinger of immaculate conception, of death, and of salvation. The hanged man in the tarot deck symbolizes paradox in our lives, presenting truths, but often hidden in their opposites. Its teaches us to let go, to surrender, release, sacrifice, wait.
The figure’s wings are (probably) an Edwardian child’s blouse; its pants are a collage of cloth from many countries, many periods. The process image below of the initial layout, includes an early 20th-century onesie.
With thanks to: Deb Lacativa; Mary Heinrich Aloi and Vintage Inspired, 05401; Sri Threads, Brooklyn NY; David Nalin, West Chester, PA; Delectable Mountain Brattleboro; an unknown late 19th/early 20th century quiltmaker, Peter Schumann and Bread & Puppet, and J. Langdon Antiques, Montpelier.