Paradise

The World Was All Before Them.
The expulsion from the garden, when Adam and Eve chose knowledge over obedience and become our first parents. 28 January/26 February 2009. Acrylic and ink on paper, approx 190mm x 275mm

The Cherubim descended; on the ground
Gliding meteorous, as evening-mist
Risen from a river o'er the marish glides,
And gathers ground fast at the labourer's heel
Homeward returning. High in front advanced,
The brandished sword of God before them blazed,
Fierce as a comet; which with torrid heat,
And vapour as the Libyan air adust,
Began to parch that temperate clime; whereat
In either hand the hastening Angel caught
Our lingering parents, and to the eastern gate
Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast
To the subjected plain; then disappeared.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld
Of Paradise, so late their happy seat,
Waved over by that flaming brand; the gate
With dreadful faces thronged, and fiery arms:
Some natural tears they dropt, but wiped them soon;
The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide:
They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow,
Through Eden took their solitary way.

final lines from John Milton's Paradise Lost

The Wall of the Garden, Night. Here we are looking back at the east wall as it would have looked to the first couple as they left the garden. 19 February 2009, Acrylic and ink on paper, approx 189mm x 140mm


The Wall of The Garden of Eden, Night. Here we see the east wall (covered in tendrils and vines) as it would have looked to our first parents. 19 February 2009, acrylic and ink on paper, approx 189mm x 140mm