A bouquet of swords turning into feathers
sitting in the seat of the
"Throne of Grace"
Unfinished and In Process
Porcelain clay by Cliff Derksen
sitting in the seat of the
"Throne of Grace"
Unfinished and In Process
Porcelain clay by Cliff Derksen
Over a year ago, I was studying “evil." In the process I ran across a TV series called “Throne of Swords,” I watched an episode or two and was repulsed by it. “Evil” of all kinds seemed rampant in the show. In fact I got the feeling the more evil they could represent the better. I’m sure, getting viewers was the goal. I cannot watch a show with evil as not only its goal but also the reason for its existence as the main substance of its story line.
But, I noticed something. One of the “kings” represented had a unique throne, a throne made up of swords and other military weaponry. The main substance of the throne was swords gathered from victorious battles. Swords from fallen soldiers on the many battlefields this king and his nation had engaged in and been of course, victorious. In other words, it was It was all about making a monument out of implements of death. A monument to the exercise of personal power and success through violence. It was a visual reminder that the very center and seat of this nations way of doing things was intimidation, power and the thumbing of the nose to all who had dealings with them.
Finally, a real symbol of evil. I was inspired to replicate it in clay. It would be a challenge and I loved that.
To make a long story short, I did make that throne and showed it for the first time at our art show last year.
The only thing was, I had wanted to put Saul on that throne, for he was my teacher of evil at the time. Through him I learned what evil was all about and how David the anointed king to follow Saul dealt with it. I measured the throne and made a monster werewolf representing Saul to sit on that throne. When it was completed and fired, I tried seating him on it and what do you know, he did not fit! That’s right, he did not fit! I was shocked.
What had happened is I’d made additions to the figure, like a werewolf with hair, thick beautiful wicked fur/hair. I’d made a whack of hair around his waist and hips, long hair to cover his private parts and so on. Well, in the excitement of creation I’d totally forgotten about the limits of the throne. I had to change my plans. I had no choice, I had to show him separately, and the throne of swords stood empty. It seemed so very empty.
I have to say that with the making of the throne and the monster (Saul) werewolf I’d had my fill of dealing with evil on a creative level. So instead of making another Saul to sit on the throne I began racking my brain for what else I might place on the throne. I've even asked several of my friends what they might envision there. Some Ideas I've batted around include a child, an adult in a fetal position, a sick, thin, dying king and so on. Nothing stuck.
Then a “whiff” of an idea. Since we have the “hands turning into feathers” piece called “Project Angel” in our show already, having to do with Candace’s escape from cruelty, evil and death to a life of peace, joy and painlessness in her heavenly home, I thought it would be nice if it also had something to do with feathers. From there it became swords becoming feathers. Something like the Biblical concept of “turning swords into plow-shares.” In other words turning evil into good.
Wow, I actually did like that. After letting that gestate for a while, I did make it. So now it will be a new piece for our show beginning April 3rd. Above you can see what I mean. A kind of bouquet of swords turning into feathers!
This fits with my/our family approach to our story or anything evil touching our lives. We try to turn any evil into something good. We try to learn from it. We see it as something that is making us stronger, even wiser if that's possible! Then when it is turned to good, it becomes a powerful testimony for how God can change it and use it for good. The surprising thing is it seems to work! It’s our small way of getting “revenge” on all evil in this world.
To see this "Throne of Grace" (and more) get the details by clicking the "Art Shows" page above.
But, I noticed something. One of the “kings” represented had a unique throne, a throne made up of swords and other military weaponry. The main substance of the throne was swords gathered from victorious battles. Swords from fallen soldiers on the many battlefields this king and his nation had engaged in and been of course, victorious. In other words, it was It was all about making a monument out of implements of death. A monument to the exercise of personal power and success through violence. It was a visual reminder that the very center and seat of this nations way of doing things was intimidation, power and the thumbing of the nose to all who had dealings with them.
Finally, a real symbol of evil. I was inspired to replicate it in clay. It would be a challenge and I loved that.
To make a long story short, I did make that throne and showed it for the first time at our art show last year.
The only thing was, I had wanted to put Saul on that throne, for he was my teacher of evil at the time. Through him I learned what evil was all about and how David the anointed king to follow Saul dealt with it. I measured the throne and made a monster werewolf representing Saul to sit on that throne. When it was completed and fired, I tried seating him on it and what do you know, he did not fit! That’s right, he did not fit! I was shocked.
What had happened is I’d made additions to the figure, like a werewolf with hair, thick beautiful wicked fur/hair. I’d made a whack of hair around his waist and hips, long hair to cover his private parts and so on. Well, in the excitement of creation I’d totally forgotten about the limits of the throne. I had to change my plans. I had no choice, I had to show him separately, and the throne of swords stood empty. It seemed so very empty.
I have to say that with the making of the throne and the monster (Saul) werewolf I’d had my fill of dealing with evil on a creative level. So instead of making another Saul to sit on the throne I began racking my brain for what else I might place on the throne. I've even asked several of my friends what they might envision there. Some Ideas I've batted around include a child, an adult in a fetal position, a sick, thin, dying king and so on. Nothing stuck.
Then a “whiff” of an idea. Since we have the “hands turning into feathers” piece called “Project Angel” in our show already, having to do with Candace’s escape from cruelty, evil and death to a life of peace, joy and painlessness in her heavenly home, I thought it would be nice if it also had something to do with feathers. From there it became swords becoming feathers. Something like the Biblical concept of “turning swords into plow-shares.” In other words turning evil into good.
Wow, I actually did like that. After letting that gestate for a while, I did make it. So now it will be a new piece for our show beginning April 3rd. Above you can see what I mean. A kind of bouquet of swords turning into feathers!
This fits with my/our family approach to our story or anything evil touching our lives. We try to turn any evil into something good. We try to learn from it. We see it as something that is making us stronger, even wiser if that's possible! Then when it is turned to good, it becomes a powerful testimony for how God can change it and use it for good. The surprising thing is it seems to work! It’s our small way of getting “revenge” on all evil in this world.
To see this "Throne of Grace" (and more) get the details by clicking the "Art Shows" page above.
“A rock is harder than a feather,
you can talk and jabber and make exceptions, but in the end,
if you have to choose which one is gonna hit you on the head,
you'll choose the feather every single time.”
Andrew Klavan
"The Truth of the Matter"
you can talk and jabber and make exceptions, but in the end,
if you have to choose which one is gonna hit you on the head,
you'll choose the feather every single time.”
Andrew Klavan
"The Truth of the Matter"
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