Artist Statement

DREAMS OF AN ANCIENT FUTURE

These paintings were done during the dark Winter of 2020 during pandemic isolation. During this time I experienced a series of profound dreams. In the dream state, I dreamt that I was dreaming of a future time that was occurring simultaneously as I was painting. The paintings address sacred knowledge, sanctified space, consciousness, transformation, and vision.

Ancient America was once the center for profound philosophical wisdom concerning a living earth cosmology and the intimate knowledge and understanding of time recording. This knowledge was centered in sacred temples in pyramid cities throughout the continent. This path of knowledge was initiated through a lucid dreaming process. These paintings continue in this tradition.

Due to a historically chaotic conquest, genocide, and ensuing colonial transformation of indigenous America much of this knowledge was lost, discredited, forgotten, and discarded. This ancient path of understanding has continued to be practiced, into the present day, within families, small groups, and wisdom keepers. It has been considered sacred knowledge and has been maintained in relative secrecy. These paintings seek to affirm that this knowledge was the science of its time.

Prophetic knowledge infers that Euro-centered civilization would reach a dark "breaking point" in which it could no longer sustain itself any further creating a possibility for a new era of creative fusion of ancient and contemporary philosophies. This fusion would have the possibility for a positive advancement in society. We are at that turning point now. These paintings are an example of this possible creative transformative fusion.

Stan Padilla is a multi-media artist, Native Educator/Mentor, Cultural Activist, and Dreamer.