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Chris Bennett

Genesis

The 12 images I have created are based on “The Old testament - Genesis”, and include scenes from: The Creation, Noah's ark, the Tower of Babel, Jacob's ladder and Joseph's coat and brothers. These stories often have quite unforgiving consequences, depicting hardships and the occasional successes of people trying to compete with each other over (amongst other things) the possession of land, beliefs and religions leading to enlightenment and forgiveness.

Included in the images and also the titles, are elements of much later times which combine 13^th century seasonal celebrations and traditions, many of these non Christian traditions are still recognised and celebrated today in Europe albeit the meanings of these traditions are beginning to become slightly blurred and not so relevant today. this has added an extra dimension to each image binding the two worlds together.

This series is in the style of a 12 month calendar; this media was ideally suited to giving a traditional feel and cycle which I believe works well. I have included a great deal of symbolism and metaphorical elements, similar to early Flemish and Italian painters thus creating a surrealist feeling which I believe best represents the idea and concept. The titles are from both The Old Testament and from the 13^th century “Book of hours” from Bruges in Belgium.