“What is matter?”

The Teacher said, “All that is born, all that is created, all the elements of nature are interwoven and united with each other. All that is composed shall be decomposed; everything returns to its roots; matter returns to the origin of matter.”

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These powerful words are the opening lines of the the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, translated from the Coptic by Jean Yves-Leloup and from the French by Joseph Rowe. Mary’s Gospel is one of the so-called “gnostic” gospels, full of teachings which were later suppressed by the religion which came to call itself Christianity. I first picked up this text in Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon, and these words lodged deep in my mind. They so beautifully and simply describe the eternal decay and regeneration of matter and energy. Eventually they inspired this double-page illustration for the centerpiece of my storybook Hare and the Hedge Woman.

These 20x16” giclée prints are printed with intense deep black ink which displays the intricate detail to perfection. The complete quotation is contained in the speech bubbles and runs along the bottom of the print. This is a super limited edition of 25 prints.