
Announcement
Here is where you can read the full artist statement about the Volofotozoto series.
100% of all proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Rush University’s Parkinson’s Disease Program. You pay $20 for the photograph. That full $20 will be donated.
You don't need an Etsy account to purchase. You can always checkout as a guest. All major credit cards and Paypal are accepted.
ARTIST STATEMENT
VOLOFOTOZOTO
In loving memory of my mother
Volofotozoto began in 2020 as a Christmas card. One white sheet of paper was sliced into dozens of strands which naturally curled. These segments were then photographed. With it is a narrative of life, death, and light.
As each strand was cut, the beginning of this piercing activity references the birth of Jesus and the sparganoo event where Mary wrapped him in swaddling cloths on that most holy Christmas night. The completion of the strand being cut points to Jesus’ death where he took our place in sin’s demands so that we may live.
Think of it this way. The left strand end is birth. The right strand end is death. But wait, it doesn’t end there.
The strand doesn’t lie flat and dormant. It takes on a new life. It curls and swirls, bends and curves, giving new focus to this simple slice.
And about the focus… in photography terms it’s called shallow depth of field. It’s where a portion of the photo is in focus and the rest is blurred. Here, the result is a delicate play of the light’s glow pulsating abound the frame, journeying from sharply-defined details to ethereal radiance.
Light’s dance is bathed in a full spectrum of colorful luminosity celebrating the life these slices represent. All this mention of light surrounds the continual biblical understanding of Jesus as our light among darkness.
This same light cloaks each one of us in the Gerechtigkeit Kleid (Luther Bibel 1545), the righteousness robe of Isaiah 61:10. Christ putting himself on us and uniting us with him is further revealed in his chosen means of grace graciously delivered in Romans 6:3-5 and beyond.
The brilliantly white cloak of righteousness, bearing a purple cross adorned with the Agnus Dei, graced my mother earlier this year in recognition of her passing onto the loving embrace of our Savior. This event is the inspiration for the Christmas message here.
The Gerechtigkeit Kleid is why Volfotozoto began as one full sheet. The numerous strands resulting from a singular source speak to how we are united in the one body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, when viewing these photographs, remember the night of our dear Saviour’s birth where his mother Mary affectionately wrapped him in cloth bands. Also consider the everyday Christian vocation of a mother’s loving embrace, her caring touch and gentle care paired with her child’s loving response.
At the same time, think of the enveloping nature of the photographed matter pointing to the crucified Christ wrapped in cloth bands when placed in the tomb.
Finally, be most assured of our new life in the resurrected and living Christ, one of freedom celebrated in the ever-unique flight of the Volofotozoto butterfly which curls and swirls, bends and curves. Christ for you, each of you.
Erik Maldre
2020
A sampling of photographs from the Volofotozoto series are available at instagram.com/erikmaldre.
Each photograph is an edition of three. The first was shared with friends and family as a Christmas card. The second will remain as part of the complete set. The third is being sold at here in limited, multi-stage releases with all proceeds donated to Rush University’s Parkinson’s Disease Program in honor of my mother.
Announcement
Here is where you can read the full artist statement about the Volofotozoto series.
100% of all proceeds from your purchase will be donated to Rush University’s Parkinson’s Disease Program. You pay $20 for the photograph. That full $20 will be donated.
You don't need an Etsy account to purchase. You can always checkout as a guest. All major credit cards and Paypal are accepted.
ARTIST STATEMENT
VOLOFOTOZOTO
In loving memory of my mother
Volofotozoto began in 2020 as a Christmas card. One white sheet of paper was sliced into dozens of strands which naturally curled. These segments were then photographed. With it is a narrative of life, death, and light.
As each strand was cut, the beginning of this piercing activity references the birth of Jesus and the sparganoo event where Mary wrapped him in swaddling cloths on that most holy Christmas night. The completion of the strand being cut points to Jesus’ death where he took our place in sin’s demands so that we may live.
Think of it this way. The left strand end is birth. The right strand end is death. But wait, it doesn’t end there.
The strand doesn’t lie flat and dormant. It takes on a new life. It curls and swirls, bends and curves, giving new focus to this simple slice.
And about the focus… in photography terms it’s called shallow depth of field. It’s where a portion of the photo is in focus and the rest is blurred. Here, the result is a delicate play of the light’s glow pulsating abound the frame, journeying from sharply-defined details to ethereal radiance.
Light’s dance is bathed in a full spectrum of colorful luminosity celebrating the life these slices represent. All this mention of light surrounds the continual biblical understanding of Jesus as our light among darkness.
This same light cloaks each one of us in the Gerechtigkeit Kleid (Luther Bibel 1545), the righteousness robe of Isaiah 61:10. Christ putting himself on us and uniting us with him is further revealed in his chosen means of grace graciously delivered in Romans 6:3-5 and beyond.
The brilliantly white cloak of righteousness, bearing a purple cross adorned with the Agnus Dei, graced my mother earlier this year in recognition of her passing onto the loving embrace of our Savior. This event is the inspiration for the Christmas message here.
The Gerechtigkeit Kleid is why Volfotozoto began as one full sheet. The numerous strands resulting from a singular source speak to how we are united in the one body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ.
So, when viewing these photographs, remember the night of our dear Saviour’s birth where his mother Mary affectionately wrapped him in cloth bands. Also consider the everyday Christian vocation of a mother’s loving embrace, her caring touch and gentle care paired with her child’s loving response.
At the same time, think of the enveloping nature of the photographed matter pointing to the crucified Christ wrapped in cloth bands when placed in the tomb.
Finally, be most assured of our new life in the resurrected and living Christ, one of freedom celebrated in the ever-unique flight of the Volofotozoto butterfly which curls and swirls, bends and curves. Christ for you, each of you.
Erik Maldre
2020
A sampling of photographs from the Volofotozoto series are available at instagram.com/erikmaldre.
Each photograph is an edition of three. The first was shared with friends and family as a Christmas card. The second will remain as part of the complete set. The third is being sold at here in limited, multi-stage releases with all proceeds donated to Rush University’s Parkinson’s Disease Program in honor of my mother.
Items
Reviews
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Tom on Jan 13, 2021
5 out of 5 starsOne of etsy's finest, original artists. Please check out artis3letters. Carefully packaged to protect the art. A++
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Tom on Jan 11, 2021
5 out of 5 starsBought on December 22nd received original art by incredibly talented artist, packaged for Fort Knox. Please check out artis3letters. A++
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Anonymous on May 26, 2011
5 out of 5 starsLove the paintings! I just keep coming back for more!
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Anonymous on May 3, 2011
5 out of 5 starsReceived just in time. Very nice idea and design. Thanks!
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Anonymous on May 2, 2011
5 out of 5 starsWonderful, thank you so much for the extra ACEO.
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Anonymous on Feb 12, 2011
5 out of 5 starsGreat little piece of art to remind us of our home-state!
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Anonymous on Jan 28, 2011
5 out of 5 starsI bought this painting at 11 am on a sunday night, and it was in my hands on thursday morning. lightning fast. And more importantly, it's really cool.
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Anonymous on Jan 8, 2011
5 out of 5 starsPainting is great, exactly what we wanted. Arrived promptly and well-wrapped. Great purchase!
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Anonymous on Dec 16, 2010
5 out of 5 starsThese are great paintings! England, Ireland, and Iceland have so much meaning to my husband and I. These pieces bring out the personal importance in a modern, interesting way. Love them!!!
About artis3letters
Who’s the guy in the logo with the 123?
That’s me! Some people know me as one of the most successful condottieri of the Italian Renaissance, and lord of Urbino from 1444 (as Duke from 1474) until 1482. A renowned intellectual humanist and civil leader in Urbino on top of my impeccable reputation for martial skill and honor, I commissioned the construction of a great library, perhaps the largest of Italy after the Vatican, with my own team of scribes in my scriptorium, and assembled around me a large humanistic court in the Ducal Palace, Urbino, designed by Luciano Laurana and Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
Impressive, huh? Well, actually it's Federico da Montefeltro.
The silhouette is drawn from arguably the most famous painting of the Italian Renaissance commonly known as "The Duke and Duchess of Urbino" by the great Piero della Francesca.
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Returns and exchanges
I gladly accept returns and exchanges
I don't accept cancellations
The following items can't be returned or exchanged
- Custom or personalized orders
- Perishable products (like food or flowers)
- Digital downloads
- Intimate items (for health/hygiene reasons)
Returns and exchange details
8x10 and Larger Paintings: Always well-wrapped in bubble wrap and shipped in a sturdy box.
Photographic Film Prints: wrapped in handmade cardstock envelope mailed in a handmade, rigid mailer customized for the size of the print
Drawings and Other Prints: always protected by either dual cardboard pieces or a sturdy box.
If your item is damaged in any way, a full refund will be given.
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Do I need an Etsy account to make a purchase?
You don't need an Etsy account to purchase. You can always checkout as a guest. All major credit cards and Paypal are accepted.