arcanum
noun
ar·ca·num (är-ˈkā-nəm)
plural arcana (är-ˈkā-nə)
1: mysterious or specialized knowledge, language, or information accessible or possessed only by the initiate —usually used in plural
The word arcanum (pluralized as "arcana") came from Latin arcanus, meaning "secret," and entered English as the Dark Ages gave way to the Renaissance. It was often used in reference to the mysteries of the physical and spiritual worlds, subjects of heavy scrutiny and rethinking at the time. Alchemists were commonly said to be pursuing the arcana of nature, and they sought elixirs for changing base metals into gold, prolonging life, and curing disease. The frequent association of the word with the alchemists' elixirs influenced the use of "arcanum" for "elixir."
BODY ARCANA
‘Body Arcana’ is a series of large-scale drawings created through movement with my body and oil bars on paper.
Inspired by the belief that ‘the body holds our entire life experience,’ each drawing begins with the question “if my body could speak, what would it say?” This question acts as a springboard for the discovery of current life lessons and resources that the body holds through movement. Each discovery is then symbolically recorded on paper.
As we heal ourselves, we heal our lineage, our community and our world. This work aims to create the space for meditation, self inquiry and discussion about the wisdom that the body holds.
BODY ARCANA x MK GALLERY
May 2022
Homecoming: Returning, rediscovering and opening from where I am.
This performance explored the theme of home through the land, ancestry and through the body and breath.
Sepia oil bars on 2.5m x 2.5m paper x 3
Milton Keynes Gallery
May 2022
Film created by Lauren Dei
Performance Host: Jocelyn Yeboah- Newton
Film created by Lauren Dei
Film Soundtrack - Dreamer by Hazy
Music provided by PlugnPlay Music
BODY ARCANA x BMM
x SOPHIE TEA ART GALLERY
October 2020
Opening to Receive
Oil bar on 2.5m x 1.5m paper
Black Minds Matter Exhibition, Sophie Tea Art Gallery, London
October 2020
Photography by @jazz___photo
“Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe slowly and deeply.
Imagine each cell within your being expand as your inhalation fills each cell with light.
You are light.
Open to receive your freedom, your peace, your love.
Surrender all lack, all doubt and all fear.
There is no room for those things here,
in this new space of openness and possibility, in this heaven found within.
Breathe and open to receive.
BODY ARCANA x FACT LIVERPOOL
July 2019
Coming home to self (2)
"You are a song. Let go, pull in, (re)discover, honour, commune..."
An exploration of what it means to come home to yourself.
This performance was followed by a workshop through which participants explored self care through movement, drawing and writing.
Oil bars on 2m x 1.5m paper
FACT Gallery, Liverpool
July 2019
Photos by FACT Gallery
BODY ARCANA x AoCA x UAL
June 2019
Coming home to self (1)
"Go out, come in and return"
An exploration of what it means to come home to yourself with Jocelyn Yeboah-Newton and live music by Drew Sinclair.
Oil bars on 2m x 1.5m paper
Central Saint Martins, UAL Alumni of Colour Association Networking Event
June 2019
Photos by Işık Ülgenalp
BODY ARCANA x CHALEWOTE FESTIVAL, GHANA
August 2018
"The women I come from"
An hour long exploration of the women I come from and the act of giving through the Shoulders, Arms and Hands, movement, drawing and writing.
Oil bars on 3m x 3m paper.
Ussher Fort, Jamestown, Accra, Ghana
August 2018
Photos by Josie Ngminvielu Kuuire
