‘The Phoenix and the Turtle’ is an allegorical poem by William Shakespeare and is the inspiration behind this series of paintings. Epoh became fascinated by the images she saw whilst reading the poem. She would sit by the Thames near her Hammersmith studio for days, reading and meditating on Shakespeare’s lines. She became interested in the meaning of the poem with its links and references to alchemy and neo platonic symbolism. She was informed by the writing of Marsilio Ficino, Carl Jung and Peter Dawkins. The poem describes a divine love, beyond our human reasoning.
A Homage to Shakespeare
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- “To Anthony and Francis Bacon, two swans flying over the Thames at Hammersmith” oil on canvas 50cm x 50cm
The Four Elements
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- “The Four Elements, Air” oil on linen 15cm x 15cm
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- “The Four Elements, Earth” oil on linen 15cm x 15cm
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- “The Four Elements, Fire” oil on linen 15cm x 15cm
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- “The Four Elements, Water” oil on linen 15cm x 15cm
Twelve paintings for the poem “The Phoenix and the Turtle”
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- “Let the bird of loudest lay…” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- ‘The Turtle Dove” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “Here the anthem doth commence” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “Love has reason, reason none, if what parts can so remain” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Tortoise” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- ” The Unicorn” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Turtle Dove” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Phoenix” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Snake” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Peacock” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The White Heart and four lions” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
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- “The Pelican and four young pelicans” oil on linen 30cm x 30cm
The Philosopher’s Stone and The Four Seasons
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- “The Philosopher’s stone from Black to Red” oil on linen, mounted on gesso board 50cm x 50cm
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- “The Four Seasons, with Sun and Moon” oil on linen mounted on gesso board 50cm x 50cm
