Earth, Water, Fire, Air

Each 31 W x 50 H

My fabric illustrations of the western alchemical symbols for the Classical Elements. These "roots" (later renamed "Elements" by Plato), first envisioned by pre-Socratic philosopher Empedocles in his cosmogenic theory and recorded in verse, became standard dogma for two thousand years.

To the elements it came from

Everything will return.

Our bodies to earth,

Our blood to water,

Heat to fire,

Breath to air.

- Matthew Arnold