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Peace Like a River

Creator: JOSH TIESSEN
Offered by: Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc.

Description
JOSH TIESSEN
Peace Like a River
Oil on panel
33 x 34 x 2 inches
Signed
$23,000.00

PROVENANCE
Josh Tiessen
Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Inc., New York City

NOTES
n the ancient prophetic book of Isaiah, the imagery of a river cutting through a barren wasteland is symbolic of the eschatological hope that justice and mercy will one day reign, ushering in peace and wholeness. After reading about the nations streaming to the holy mountain, I envisioned a pod of Orcas released from aquarium amusement parks, journeying down a canyon river toward their intended home. On the way, they pass remnants of humankind: a hewn cave and carnage from the drought, their ancestor’s bones, which await resurrection to new life.

While I live near Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario, after seeing the 2013 documentary Blackfish my eyes were opened to the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity: sensory deprivation, increased aggression, lower-life expectancy. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Mammals (edited by David W. Macdonald) corroborates this by asserting that the complex social lives of cetaceans in the wild cannot be recreated in captivity, where unnatural stress is placed on these animals.

Shortly after I completed this painting, thanks to the tireless efforts of activist groups across Canada, the Senate passed a bill that will ban whale and dolphin captivity in our country. Finally, these beautiful and intelligent animals will stop being exploited for our amusement, and live free in the oceans where they belong.

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Period:	New
Styles / Movements:	Contemporary
Incollect Reference #:	594947

Dimensions

W.	34 in;	H.	33 in;	D.	2 in;
W.	86.36 cm;	H.	83.82 cm;	D.	5.08 cm;

Message from Seller:

Rehs Contemporary is regarded as one of the top galleries in New York City and is a platform for new, emerging, and established contemporary artists; many of whom have received extensive academic training. The gallery offers high-quality works to art lovers of all kinds, from first-time buyers to major collectors.