Derek Charleton Seraphim

 

Derek Charleton

Seraphim

2021

Steel and 3D Printed PLA

2.5' x 4' x 1'

"Above it stood the Seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:2–3

This is their description, provided in Christian Anthology, lore and texts; those of which are the highest ranking of the angelic/celestial beings in heaven flying around "the throne of God." The Seraphim, quite literally meaning "the burning ones", are supposedly the highest order with the most power under God's, protecting the throne directly and forever singing "Holy, Holy, Holy". Angels aren't pretty, they aren't as beautiful and quite welcoming as our media and society has built them up to be (They are VERY FAR from the cherub babies we see in some art). They are quite honestly, disgustingly scary looking. Throughout the biblical anthology, whenever angels like the Seraphim encounter humans, they always seem to start their conversation's with: "Be not afraid!" Quite in fact, the demons come directly from the angels themselves, only being twisted by their own desires and straying away from "their ruler." Thus, possibly only physically change very little from what they were when they were originally angels. Since I did work on creating figures to represent demons from the depths that protect the gates to hell, it almost seems fitting if I recreate those on the opposite side of the spectrum; the angels. The Seraphim are great example to showcase to others that angels are not any prettier than the demons that were once angels, they are quite bizarre looking in their real forms. I have started really gaining interest in the creatures and entities I am finding throughout biblical anthology, and it's inspired me to try to recreate these figures and perhaps create new ones that may perhaps add more meaning and connection to my life.