Alien Annunciation Ikon

Alien Annunciation Ikon
Originally uploaded by M W Moses Pottery

This is a descriptive write up that my business partner did for this piece that is currently on display at South Coast Antiques & Gallery in Ocean Springs, MS. THE ANNUNCIATION by Michael William Moses
In this piece Mr. Moses draws upon his background in classical Greek Icon painting and melds it with a (literally) otherworldliness. The ambiguity of structures with possibly natural spires echoes the theme of duality that haunts Mr. Moses. The whole production value of this piece shift from the past to the future through the vector of ikonic imagery: It is painted on a 100-year-old backing board which was gessoed and painted just like old images. Even the suspensor ring is antique. However the subject matter is quite alien and yet familiar at the same time. A being holds two children in its arms and clasps a brooch that has two figures picked out in gold and enamel. Rich Byzantine clothing envelopes the figures like they just stepped out of an alternate history Ravenna mosaic. Rich lapis blues contrast with warm oxblood coverings and a structure that may be the back of a chair or a high filigree collar draws upon a rich history of costume. The bareness of the land is belied by the fecundity of the Madonna like figure. There is a deep sense of history and age to the piece. Yet the pose is immediately understood as one of motherhood, life and rebirth. Mr. Moses complexity reveals itself the longer you go over the themes in this piece.