In order to understand Celtic Art it is necessary to understand
the nature of symbols. Symbols are signs. In Art they take the
form of images which stand for intangibles, such as higher levels
of experience, consciousness or thought.
Celtic Art was born in the 7th Century among the Druid people
who lived in Ireland and Britain. Their Art has a depth of design
and symbolism that makes it one of the richest forms of Religious
Art ever handed down to the peoples of the world. It is highly
stylized and intricate, abstract yet based on reality, technical
yet creative, powerful, and on the verge of perfection. The Celtic
artists were interested in portraying images that were important
to them such as: plants, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, animals and
humans. All of these images are depicted in a very special way.
They are interwoven in very detailed, intricate and interlaced
patterns that also form knotwork, spirals and key patterns.
The patterns which contain living creatures are called zoomorphic.
The very beautiful and powerful Celtic High Crosses contain much
of the above mentioned imagery.
Sr. Mary Jacque found this Art and the High Crosses fascinating and enjoyed
interpreting it in her own works. The above painting
done in 1997 marked the beginning of her interest in
the richness of Celtic Art.
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