APOTHEOSIS

Apotheosis (from Ancient Greek ἀποθέωσις (apothéōsis), from ἀποθεόω/ἀποθεῶ (apotheóō/apotheô) 'to deify'), also called divinization or deification (from Latin deificatio 'making divine'), is the glorification of a subject to divine levels and, commonly, the treatment of a human being, any other living thing, or an abstract idea in the likeness of a deity.

A body of work that exists to elicit investigation, symbolism and enlightenment. Color is not utilized for color sake. Materials are not utilized as gimmick. Techniques are used with historical, metaphysical, symbolic and mythological reasons. Nothing is wasted.

These works are created specifically on a canvas made of wood. Wood conveys age, history and wisdom. This wood it manipulated using the Japanese shot Sufi ban technique. A techniques, used in architecture for elemental preservation which now takes the form of being a symbol. This use of fire explores the histories associated with fire. Love, lust, passion, desire, warm, destruction, preparation. In a mythological context corresponding to the apotheosis ideal it is likened to the rising of the phoenix. A transformation. An ascension.

Materials used have their own storied histories. metal, gold, wire, salt, concrete, plaster, glass, mirror, flowers, resin. Each of these materials have meanings in different cultures as well as folklores. Combined, these create a language. A language to be spoken to and by the viewer. All these materials are used to convey a sense of becoming. Transcending to that which is more than what an individual is at present.

This is the main, most storied, most well known, exclusive and most collected body of Cleveland Dean’s work to date.