#glendon allen

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My own design tattooed by Gabrielle Ripka of Little Fish Studios. [email protected] [phone]

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Outfit of the day got me catcalled. The old man said "Hey MaMa! How you Doin"...Interesting day.

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I've been putting the finishing touches on the mandolin for my brother!

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Displayed my work at Spark Contemporary Art Space during their show titled “The Rest of the World Sleeps”. @risaisafox took the photos and modeled/collaborated in the top three prints. Ray Madden is the shadow figure behind me and modeled/collaborated in the lower three prints.

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http://www.galleryapostrophe-s.com/

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The design of The Psychopomp Sword is derived from combining all of the tools used by personifications, deities, and representations of death throughout all cultures and beliefs that carried a specific tool, symbol, or object that has significance. Not all psychopomps and deities carry a tool, symbol, or object so I picked out something that would represent the chosen representations in the design and material.

Symbols from Paganism are incorporated into the design such as the hole in the center represents the full cycle of life. The cemetery gate guard represents to bridge or veil that we all cross when we die and since death is part of the cycle, it is important to clearly define that pivotal point of life.

Psychopomp  is a Greek word for guide of the soul and it is believed that crows, as well as the European reaper, Anubis, and many other deities and mystical creatures function as Psychopomps. Anubis is represented through the Ankh and Ebony handle since that wood is from Africa and the Ankh represents life. Not just life as the living but life after death as well. The crow is represented through the scabbard as it is shaped like a giant crow wing. The Scabbard is made of Ash wood. In Norse mythology, Ash is seen as the world tree.

The American and European reaper’s scythe dictated the shape of the blade. It is believed that the scythe is used to be the cause of death and others see it as a tool to protect the soul and escort the soul safely the other side.

The femur shaped handle is referencing the spine whip used by Dullahan in accordance to celtic mythology. The eyes on the exposed tang of the handle are referencing the Angel of Death in Judaism, whom of which have twelve wings and is full of eyes. This same creature carries a sword that flings one drop of bile into the mouth of the person to die and that is seen as the cause of death.

More reason why Gaboon Ebony was used for the handle is the mystical properties that are tied to this wood. It is said that the power of ebony is non-discriminating much like death. It is said to be useful for any magical practice and with any element.

Anubis or Inpu is an extremely ancient deity of Egypt whose name appears in the oldest mastabas of the Old Kingdom and the Pyramid Texts. His role is the guardian and protector of the dead as well as the God of the Underworld. He later became associated with embalming and funerary rights and later gave up his role as ruler of the underworld. Anubis is also associated with the Eye of Horus who acted as a guide to the dead and helped them find Osiris much like a psychopomp. In other myths Anubis led the deceased to the halls of Ma´at where they would be judged at the weighing of the scales.  Anubis watches over the whole process and ensures that the weighing of the scales was conducted correctly. If your heart is lighter than the feather then Anubis leads you to a heavenly existence or rather the other side. He is often depicted holding an ankh in his hand by the loop. He plays an important role in the end cycle of one’s life and that is why I chose to represent him through a silver ankh inlayed in the ebony handle. By Glendon Allen

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Here is a video of the Ukulele I made

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The Psychopomp Sword by Glendon Allen