Carl Demeulenaere - Arcada Triptych

Arcada Triptych

all images: 5 ½” x 3 ½”

triptych formed in 2010

colored pencil, acrylic, linen paper, garnet, blood

The 2010 installation titled "Arcada" appears below, and you can click on it for a more expansive view. This structure enclosed the "Arcada Triptych," a group of three identically framed drawings meant to be read from right to left, beginning with the profile of the Moorish, Moslem African male. Behind him stand two women, the farthest in a three-quarter view. This Moorish, Moslem African female is depicted in the front of the center composition, and the skeleton behind her touches the Catholic boy in the left drawing. The “Arcada Triptych” is compositionally devised to take viewers on a circular walk around these figures.

These three drawings are further explained below.

Bistre and Ash and a Boy, part of Arcada Triptych.jpeg

Bistre and Ash and a Boy, part of Arcada Triptych (left side)

image: 5 ½” x 3 ½”

2010

colored pencil, acrylic, linen paper, blood

Two time frames have converged, as a Catholic boy and Moorish girl encounter a skeleton, symbolizing the Spanish Inquisition era’s Church. A foreboding image of 9/11 appears behind.

Witch, Ambers, Garnet, part of Arcada Triptych (center) .jpeg

Witch, Ambers, Garnet, part of Arcada Triptych (center)

image: 5 ½” x 3 ½”

2010

colored pencil, garnet

In Spain’s Inquisition era, a Moorish African woman is tried for heresy as a symbolic Catholic angel and death figure look on.

Requiem Prayer for a Muslim, part of Arcada Triptych (right side) .jpeg

Requiem Prayer for a Muslim, part of Arcada Triptych (right side)

image: 5 ½” x 3 ½”

2002

colored pencil

A Moor faces heresy charges in Spain's Inquisition era. A similar scene could unfold anywhere in North America or the Middle East today. This drawing was first displayed as part of a group of works shown on the walls of the "Il Portico" installation in 2002, later forming part of the "Arcada Triptych" in 2010.

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