HERE COMES THE SUN

Sun myths abound throughout human history. This says so much about how important the sun has always been in human existence. The Greek myths, particularly, associate the sun with the god, Apollo: god of poetry and music. Son of Zeus and Leto, twin brother to Artemis, Apollo is also the god of medicine and healing who delivers people from epidemics.

I painted my Sun/Apollo painting around the time of advent as I wanted to dive into the process of waiting for the light. We experience cosmic darkness during winter when the earth moves toward its farthest spot form the sun which happens in the winter Solstice.

The ancient humans knew winter. Cosmic darkness bright not only the cold, but also a darkness in the soul. I, on the other hand, have lived my life without winter until very recently. Having just moved to Toronto 2 years ago from Manila, I am new to the experience of winter and I have to say, I am enjoying it. I am loving the cold and the snow. The introvert in me loves this season when all of nature turns inward.

But I cannot deny that there is a sublime joy that happens when the light arrives. This is not just because I grew up loving Christmas. Around the time of Christmas Eve, the earth makes its way out of the darkness towards the light. This is a great cosmic event humans have experienced and celebrated for thousands of years, even before it had a name.

This time of the year is a cosmic event worthy of celebration. I wanted my Sun painting to coincide with the arrival of the cosmic light. It is no wonder that joy rays out from it. And because I made this painting during this pandemic, during this very extended darkness of the body and soul, I poured all the light I could muster into it. So here comes the Sun in early August because this is some deep deep darkness were in and we all need some Sun/Apollo on earth right about now.

Sun/Apollo: True Light 2020 Acrylic on Canvas 60”X84” ) Celestial Data for Daydreaming is up at Silverlens Galleries until Aug 28,2021