Eastern Cherub

My collage project entitled “Eastern Cherub” focuses on religious ideology from different cultures. I chose to represent Occidental spirituality through a cherub because it is the epitome of innocence and devoutness in Christianity. The cherub, adorned with bells and a cross, sits inside a black ring. In Chinese mysticism, the ring represents heaven because it is seemingly unbounded and borderless. In contrast, the square symbolizes the mortal, earthly world of the “unenlightened.” Often temples were built on this principal; a square gate would surround the greater structure, and the innermost core would consist of a smaller, circular shrine. I wanted to recreate this formation by depicting the view from above – a circle within a square.
Outside of the circle, yet within the confines of the outer square perimeter, I included shards of mirror to reflect the viewer’s own image – a reminder that we are not enlightened and are therefore excluded from the heavenly circle. The number of shards is also significant. The Chinese considered nine to be the number nearest to heaven, and many of the ancient temples have this incorporated into their architecture (nine stairs leading to the shrine, nine doorways in the gate, etc.) I therefore chose to use nine shards of mirror to illustrate the proximity to heaven, as we are just outside the circle.
My main objective was to contrast the iconography in the Christian religion and in ancient Chinese mysticism. While the cherub, cross, and bells are all clearly identifiable and accessible symbols, the Asian numerology is less intelligible to Westerners. By literally placing a symbol of Christian holiness inside of a symbol of Eastern heavenliness, I wanted to demonstrate the connection between all spirituality: the search for salvation.