Tim Shaw, RA
The Burning of Lifting the Curse, 2022
Photographic Print on Archival Paper
150 x 98 cm
59 x 38 5/8 in
59 x 38 5/8 in
Edition of 26
Copyright The Artist
Further images
Lifting The Curse, was created in direct response to the curse that artists Gilbert and George issued to the Royal Academy and its members in 2021. The artist duo, the...
Lifting The Curse, was created in direct response to the curse that artists Gilbert and George issued to the Royal Academy and its members in 2021. The artist duo, the first to be elected to the Royal Academy in 2017, resigned in 2020 after plans to show their work were reportedly turned down. Stating, “We herewith return our medals and certificates…We curse the Royal Academy and all its members”. Whether these were flippant words or targeted toxic energy, it's a serious business to curse someone. As one of the cursed, when Shaw read this in the Times newspaper in 2021 he felt an obligation to address this act with a robust response.
Lifting the Curse was made from tree branches tied to a metal welded framework, with a belly full of charcoal wrapped in blanket. The figure also had a heart made from charred wood, lacerated, and bound in copper. Lifting The Curse was designed to absorb dark energy. On the penultimate day of its completion, a shamanic practitioner carried out a ritual connecting, giving focus and potency to the grubby working as the old moon passed over to the new.
For three months the sculpture stood in the Royal Academy fulfilling its task. On the 9th April 2022 Lifting the Cusre was burnt in a field where two ley lines cross. A Pellar man enchanted whist showering the form with water, then fire. A song was sung for all those who flee the tyranny and war.
The ashes were gathered. Summoned by an ‘Oss, tease and drums, a procession filed down to the river carrying the cinders by touch light. The ashes were ceremonially thrown into the air, water, and earth.
Springtime came, and with it a great rush of wildflowers. Further east Russia stormed Ukraine and began its slaughter of a free people.
The Burning of Lifting the curse has been used as a cover image for the single 'The court' by Peter Gabriel and the film of The Burning of the Lifting of the Curse was used during Gabriel’s world-wide tour “í/o” in 2023
Lifting the Curse was made from tree branches tied to a metal welded framework, with a belly full of charcoal wrapped in blanket. The figure also had a heart made from charred wood, lacerated, and bound in copper. Lifting The Curse was designed to absorb dark energy. On the penultimate day of its completion, a shamanic practitioner carried out a ritual connecting, giving focus and potency to the grubby working as the old moon passed over to the new.
For three months the sculpture stood in the Royal Academy fulfilling its task. On the 9th April 2022 Lifting the Cusre was burnt in a field where two ley lines cross. A Pellar man enchanted whist showering the form with water, then fire. A song was sung for all those who flee the tyranny and war.
The ashes were gathered. Summoned by an ‘Oss, tease and drums, a procession filed down to the river carrying the cinders by touch light. The ashes were ceremonially thrown into the air, water, and earth.
Springtime came, and with it a great rush of wildflowers. Further east Russia stormed Ukraine and began its slaughter of a free people.
The Burning of Lifting the curse has been used as a cover image for the single 'The court' by Peter Gabriel and the film of The Burning of the Lifting of the Curse was used during Gabriel’s world-wide tour “í/o” in 2023