30/04/2020
The Priestess of the Abyss
It has been an absolute honour and pleasure for our Creatrix Body Art Team to work with the incredibly talented young artist and stunning model, designer and costume maker Jaya Lev (15 years old) in collaboration with her fabulous mum Revital Lev fashion designer & owner of Fairy Floss Tribe on this spectacular masterpiece 'The Priestess of the Abyss in preparation for the Shearwater Wearable Art Show.
Interpretation:
Cleopatra is probably one of the most controversial Queens and Priestesses of Ancient History and Mythology. Some describing her as one of the most powerful and beautiful woman in history, who’s intelligent reign brought prosperity and stability to Egypt and even to the Roman Empire. Others describe her as a romantic femme fatale, whose opulent affairs destroyed two of Roman’s greatest rulers.
And we may never know the full truth of her life and reign, but we can separate fact and rumour and put history on trail…
So much could be said about the extra-extraordinary life of Cleopatra but I would like to mention only the relevant information and ‘viewpoints’ to give this artpiece the depth, meaning and understanding it deserves.
It is said, Cleopatra and her Lover Mark Anthony are buried together in a tomb at the bottom of the dark sea. The story of their death is tragic and greatly controversial. Octavian the son of Mark Anthony and the ruler of Rome had declared war on Egypt and Cleopatra. After victory over great parts of Egypt and holding Cleopatra separately to Mark in custody, Cleopatra sent Mark a letter telling him that she would commit su***de, knowing that he would follow her in to death, as he loved her dearly. Mark committed su***de by drawing a knife through his chest. As he was taking his last breaths of life he was brought to Cleopatra and died in her arms.
To continue this fascinating story, I would like to quote the creator of this artpiece Jaya Lev for her interpretation and revival of the myth.
“Looking straight into the eye of the Aspis (a deadly snake) that was about to end her life Cleopatra wondered was it worth to die? Was it worth to just give up and let the Romans win? Earlier that day Cleopatra had sent her maiden to get her the Aspis as it was said to be a symbol of royalty and Cleopatra would settle for nothing less.
But now as she was standing in front of the beastly yet beautiful snake she decided she didn't want to die, but right as she was turning around away from the snake, the Aspis arose and bit her on the breast.
In those last moments before she died she made a prayer to Isis to go into the Afterlife. After all, Cleopatra was said to be Isis's reincarnation so she hoped she would listen to her prayer.
Centuries later when the Roman empire was already ruling Egypt, Cleopatra’s tomb where she was buried with Mark Anthony, is lost. No one knows where it is, but deep down under the dark sea where all the memories and pieces have been left behind, long lost lays a tomb covered in barnacles that Isis guards, this tomb is known to all the mystical sea creatures as the Treasure of the Deep.
One day Isis decided to put all her power and energy towards Cleopatra in the hopes that she would come back to life.
That day Cleopatra became the Priestess of the Abyss, and she still is to this day.
The tomb with the lovers has never been found, but if you go to the deepest parts of the ocean, you may come across a barnacle-covered tomb, and if your lucky, you might even see the priestess herself.
The Priestess of the Abyss is still all around you, through the shells we find on the beach, the pearls, the way the ocean sparkles and the deep deep blue colour of the water.
The Priestess of the Abyss is protecting us and will never stop being our Queen.”
credits:
designer & costume maker: Jaya Lev (insta: spicy.groove) & Revital Lev Fairy Floss Tribe
model: Jaya Lev
bodyart and make-up: The Creatrix Body Art Team, Dominique Abraham @ Apnea Art, Olive Vengoa and Elfie Jade
photography: Elfie Jade
