PLANISPHERE 52°N

Natural pigments and 23.5ct gold on recycled hemp paper
27cm x 27cm (10.6” x 10.6”)
2020

Planispheres are astronomical devices used for finding the positions of the stars for a particular location at any given date and time. 

Handheld planispheres were popularised in the early 20th century, and versions of them are still available today (there are also, of course, apps which do the same thing). But what I’ve found lacking in most modern planispheres (and apps) is a sense of beauty and harmony in line with their function. Star-gazing is an awe-inspiring activity; observing the heavens brings feelings of profound expansiveness and connectedness. 

I created this planisphere with that mind; it contains implicit ‘squaring the circle’ geometric proportions, symbolising the interconnectedness of heaven and earth. 

Around the outer circles is a quote from Psalm 19, which I find to be beautifully pertinent; ‘The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.’