Divinita (EKNOKEO)

Manca, Bonaria

‘I was sunk in thought when suddenly a bright, sharp light fell in and a graceful, shining figure appeared. From her mouth sprang pearls of grace over mankind. I had to paint her and called her the Divinita delle Giardino della Vita: the Goddess of the Garden of Life’, says Bonaria Manca about one of her large scale works.

Manca has a strong religious awareness and her work contains many biblical motifs. Facing the angels in the kitchen is the complete story of Creation, extending over the floor. Nothing seems to hold her back. In painting she feels free and she literally takes her space. The great gesture is to be found mainly in her portrayals of dreams and visions. Here appear her ‘Divinities’ whom she gives names such as Eknokeo. The large figures, often with stern faces, remind us of Inca gods. Manca shows traditional motifs like creation and cosmos, transformation, gods and goddesses, in penetrating scenes that look rather archetypal.

Bonaria showing her home

Bonaria showing her home