Just in time for the spookiest month of the year, the “Myths & Magic” exhibition by Betty Dolman and Rudy Ellis is being featured at the Goddard Centre in Ardmore Oklahoma.
Ms. Dolman’s exhibit, "A Few Myths," is an edition of ten handmade, accordion-style books based on Greek Mythology. The books are influenced by the horizontal scrolls and folding screens of traditional Japanese art. Each of the book’s etchings and calligraphy are hand-done and original, taking her more than a year to complete.
Mr. Ellis’ exhibit is entitled “The Black Tarot." This is as series of mixed media pieces based on the Tarot. The Tarot acts as a “jumping off place” for visual creativity – being illustrations that use the Tarot as their primary source of inspiration, rather than being illustrative of the Tarot.
Tarot cards have an extremely long history and can be traced back to several civilizations. The ancient Egyptians are mentioned as using them as well as the early Romans who used them for divining the future. Records from 10th century China mention their use in prognostication, as well as using them in a type of card game. The medieval Italians even used them in a card game called “tarok.” Historically, they are tied to both the Bible and early Hebrew text and alphabets.