Artist Statement: The phoenix is a mythical bird existing in some form of ritual in almost every society. It builds its own funeral pyre, is consumed by the flames, and then rises anew from the ashes. There is only one phoenix at a time. In some societies it is believed that the phoenix lives 500 years. In others, it represents the sun emerging anew each morning and dying in flames in the evening. Still another belief is that it appears only in peaceful and prosperous times, and hides itself when there is trouble. Generally, the flight of the phoenix represents "the capacity to leave the world and its problems behind, flying toward the sun in clear, pure skies."

Another form of ritual is the wearing of the kimono. This piece was inspired by a kimono from the Meiji period featured in the exhibit ‘Beyond the Tanabata Bridge’ at the Seattle Art Museum. The phoenix came from the fabric for the Rituals challenge; it was probably an obi fabric. I added the tail feathers to more accurately recreate the kimono from the Tanabata Bridge.

Dimensions: 20" wide x 24" high