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Affirmation of Rebecca, Child of my Child

Erdrich, Arline

Affirmation of Rebecca, Child of my Child

oil on canvas

1989 Gift of the Artist

Arlene Erdrich created this painting to celebrate the birth of her granddaughter. The "T" shape integrated into each of the six panels represents Erdrich's philosophical and spiritual views of life based on Taoist teachings. The "T" appears often in Erdrich's work, referring to the first letter of "Tao." The number of panels in this painting - six - reflects Taoist teachings and refers to the six points of the universe (north, south, east, west, zenith, and nadir) that encompass its roundness and depth. Erdrich uses the "T" and the circle to communicate the Taoist teaching that there is no beginning or end in life; only unity in that all things that are connected.