This is a presentation of my most recently completed series of art work titled, 'Peregrinations'.

1. Peregrinations By Rebecca Maynard Inspired by Conference Of the Birds (Manteq at-Tair) By Farid ud Din Attar C1177 Titles from the translation by Afkham Dabandi

2. A Search For The Divine In Nature Background to work The current series of paintings, prints, sculptures and mixed media work titled ‘Peregrinations’ is an attempt to reconcile aspects of my artistic, spiritual and intellectual journeys through the allegory of the bird. Birds have become a personal symbol for my migration between lands and cultures and for the hatching of ideas and growth. As humans, we watch the flight of birds with envy. To me they represent freedom and an unattainable physical ability to explore the realm beyond the clouds. I am interested in the depiction of birds because of their unique relationship with humankind and for their distinguishing features - their movement, shapes and colors. As with other winged creatures, the bird in mythology is a communicator and bearer of celestial messages. They may even represent the darting flux and mutability of thought itself, of imagination and an emerging spirituality. For me, the spiritual journey entails the untangling and exploration of the nature of belief, involving a meditative state that accompanies the act of art making. Aren’t you aware that life, from birth to death, Is little more than one precarious breath? 2007 Oil on canvas 24cm x 18cm

3. How long will you seek for Beauty here? Seek the unseen, and Beauty will appear 2007 Oil on canvas 24cm x 18cm ‘ Peregrinations’ is inspired by the poem, ‘Conference of the Birds ’, by the 12 th century Persian poet-mystic, Farid ud Din Attar. The poem metaphorically maps out the journey of the human spirit in its quest for truth. Attar was able to illustrate an extremely mystical and complex belief system with an allegorical tale that begins with the birds of the world gathering together to seek a king. The Hoopoe bird is the symbol of inspiration, and after he tells the congregation of the great Simurgh, a mythical bird, he is elected as their leader and guides them through a treacherous journey to reach their desired king. The conclusion of their quest brings an unexpected revelation - the birds discover that the Simurgh has been with them all along, guiding them throughout the journey. It is thus not a mythical bird that they meet, but an image of themselves, reflected.

4. Unity In Multiplicity 2008 Oil on canvas 180cm x 180cm

5. Unity In Multiplicity (detail) 2008 Oil on canvas 180cm x 180cm

6. If you are summoned by the distant call Pursue the fading sound until you fall 2008 Oil on canvas 180cm x 180cm

7. Whoever can evade the Self transcends This world as a lover he ascends 2008 Oil on canvas 180cm x 180cm

8. Your lure is love, and when the jess is tied, Submit, and be forever satisfied 2008 Oil on canvas 180cm x 180cm

9. The bird of aspiration spreads its wings And quickly soars beyond terrestrial things 2008 Oil on canvas Diptych 204cm x 120cm

10. Outsoar both this world and the next, and there, Released from both, take off the hood you wear 2008 Oil on canvas Diptych 180cm x 70cm

11. We have no freedom to achieve our goal Until from Self and fools we free the soul 2009 Oil on canvas 120cm x 150cm

12. If you would soar beyond the circling sky First free yourself from thoughts of ‘me’ and ‘I’ 1999 Oil , wax and ocher on canvas 180cm x 180cm

13. Our pathways differ – no bird ever knows The secret route by which another goes 2008 Series of 9 Oil on canvas Each piece 40cm x 40cm

14. Our pathways differ – no bird ever knows The secret route by which another goes 2008 (detail)

15. ‘ I am a mirror set before your eyes, And all who come before my splendor see Themselves, their own unique reality’ 2008 Wax and mixed media on paper 120cm x 160cm

16. details

17. No wealth could bring The substance I receive from wisdom’s king 2008 Series of 12 Wax and mixed media on paper Each piece 30cm x 30cm

18. As flesh remains an agent of the soul, Your soul’s an agent of the sacred whole 2008 Series of 12 Wax and mixed media on paper each piece 30cm x 30cm

20. Once past the veil you understand the Way From which the crowd’s glib courtiers blindly stray Without light projection

21. This is no journey for the indolent- Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent 2008 Series of 6 Oil on paper, gold leaf frames Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

22. This is no journey for the indolent- Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent 2008 Series of 6 Oil on paper, gold leaf frames Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

23. This is no journey for the indolent- Our quest is Truth itself, not just its scent 2008 Series of 6 Oil on paper, gold leaf frames Various sizes - maximum diameter 15cm

24. And some were so cast down that then and there They turned aside and perished in despair 2009 Charcoal, pastel and acrylic paint on paper 222cm x 150cm

25. Series of three dimensional pieces collectively titled Manifestation of the Quest

26. What is Real? What Is Fiction? 2009 Assemblage of feathers and bottles in wood and acrylic display case 51cm x 55cm x 35cm

27. Birth Of An Idea 2009 Assemblage of wood, handmade paper and grass in wood and acrylic display case 35cm x 30cm x 25cm

28. Conference Of The Birds (Tribute to Farid ud Din Attar) 2009 Watercolour on paper Book bound with feathers 3cm x 3cm Display case made from wood and acrylic 22cm x 24 cm x 15cm

29. The Empty Nest (Tribute to Farid ud Din Attar 2009 Sticks, debris from birds’ nests, feathers 120cm x 120cm x 60cm

30. A Bird’s Eye View 1997 Wax, ocher, charcoal, pigment and clay on paper each piece 30cm x 30cm

31. Biography Rebecca Maynard Born 1971 Australia Rebecca Maynard studied Fine Art at the University of New South Wales, College of Fine Art in Sydney, Australia. In 1992 she was awarded a Bachelor of Fine Art and in 1993 she gained a Master of Art. Since then Rebecca has studied Arts Management and has obtained a Post Graduate Degree in Visual Arts Education. Rebecca has exhibited her artwork in Australia, England, Taiwan, Indonesia and The United Arab Emirates. Her work has been documented in various national and international art magazines, such as Art Monthly Australia and Artist’s Newsletter (UK). She has received a wide range of media interest for her exhibitions, including newspaper, radio and on-line interviews in Australia, the UK and the USA. In addition to her personal artwork, Rebecca has designed sets and costumes for the Jakarta Opera Company. In 1993 she received a Marketing Grant from the National Association for the Visual Arts Australia which contributed to establishing a contemporary art space and studios in Sydney. In 1997 Rebecca co-founded VOID Gallery in London. Rebecca’s artwork hangs in the permanent collections of Royal Bank of Scotland, DIFC Dubai, and the Faculty of Law, University of NSW Australia.