Statement
The "Babylon Prophecies" grew out of my profound interest in Sumerian mythology. For me, these myths are some of the basic templates for all other imagery - creative and societal, which have followed. Many artists have used myths as a way of expressing their own reflections on themselves and their surroundings. Tintoretto, Blake, Roerich, Siquieros are some of the artists who have influenced me in using the past as a way understanding of the future.
The illustrations to the complete Book of Psalms began in 1997. For me the Psalms serve as templates for a creative approach to the sacred. As an artist who works almost exclusively from the imagination, the inspiration from the Psalms reaches into both the depths and heights of being. A booklet is currently available of a selection of my illustrations to the Psalms.
C.V.
Michael Jessing
Born: 1953 - New York City
Selected Exhibitions:
2009 Wells Cathedral, Wells - “Selections from the Book of Psalms”
2008 York Minster Library, York - “Selections from the Book of Psalms”
Chichester Cathedral, Chichester - “Selections from the Book of Psalms”
2007 London Centre for Spirituality - “Icons by Michael Jessing”
2004 St. John’s, Edinburgh Festival of Spirituality - “Psalms and Icons”
2002 St. Giles, Oxford - “Selections from the Book of Psalms”
2000 Carie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, New York
1995 Maclaurin Art Gallery, Ayr - “Urban Allegories by Michael Jessing”
1994 Gracefield Art Centre, Dumfries - “Urban Allegories by Michael Jessing”
1993 Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh - “Urban Allegories by Michael Jessing”
1987 Canton Art Institute, Ohio - “Urban Allegories by Michael Jessing”
Selected References:
Susan Gillingham - Psalms through the Centuries - Blackwell, 2008
London Link - “Jessing’s Powerful Parables” - November 1996
Scottish Television - Janice Forsyth (NB) 11th November 1993
The List - “Urban Allegories” - February 1993
Education:
Art Students League, New York City, 1970-1974
Jessing teaching an Icon workshop at Tullie House, Carlisle 2008
for further information:mixastudio@googlemail.com
