Contemplation on the transitory nature of life, ‘Coming forth by day’ is the literal translation for the Egyptian book of the dead. The funerary text contains almost 200 incantations designed to assist the deceased through the night journey of the soul, following the path of the sun down into the underworld. It is a story of cosmic cycles of creation, becoming and returning, as the soul is reborn with the rising sun.

Everything in nature lives to die, and dies in order to be reborn’ Auguste Mariette Pasha. In Egypt, transformation was considered the sole cosmic goal and every human birth participates in this alchemy. Everything is moving, everything is variable; this is the property of the created being and hence of the universe. Techniques to prepare one’s self for death have been observed in most spiritual traditions. To die the mystical death whilst alive is considered a way to achieve liberation in this lifetime. In the shamanic tradition initiates are buried in sand for 3 days with just a small hole through which to breath, after which they emerge symbolically reborn.

Much of my art practice is concerned with attuning myself to the greater cycles of the cosmos and documenting my own metaphysical journey. ‘Coming forth into day’ was performed during my residency in Mexico. Over the period of 3 months, I would watch the sun rise over the ocean each morning, and each morning would visualize myself slowly being buried in the sand. For me this symbolic act is a letting go of the past, coming to terms with my own temporality and honoring my own internal and external cycles.