Celestial Numinance

Derived from ‘numinous’, meaning awakening spiritual awe, and ‘luminance’, meaning the amount of light emitted, or reflected from a surface; Celestial Numinance is an exhibition that explores the awe-inspiring beauty of cosmic phenomena.

Sewell’s artistry is affected by these celestial bodies. She feels their gravitational pull, in much the same way that the tides feel the pull of the moon, driving her interest in all things other-worldly. Her artistic practice becomes a vehicle of transmutation whereby the mystery of cosmic phenomena is laid bare as a tangible experience. Through photography, sculpture, scent and sound, viewers teeter on the threshold into the realm of the numinous. Having sought inspiration from a multitude of sources including astronomical studies of the Orion constellation, medicinal applications of herbs, and the ancient Japanese art of Hikaru dorodango as well as her personal history, Sewell combines the seemingly dissimilar subject matter into a unified experience that extends across time and space. The sphere, a universal symbol of eternity, wholeness and unity, is a central motif throughout Sewell’s practice. Her sculptures bridge the separation between the earthly and the other worldly, exploring connections between the tangible and intangible, the abstract and the spiritual, and the diverse realms of sensory experience.

Additional to this exhibition is the augmented reality element, Morning Star XR 2024, wherein the visitor becomes privy to an experience that isn’t so easy to access. She reveals the celestial body of Venus to us through the power of technology: the unseen becomes seen, the invisible becomes visible, and viewers are taken on a journey through the most fascinating and inexplicable parts of what is literally an other world.

Morning Star XR, 2024. Carnelian quartz, Venus, sound (source NASA), atmosphere, extended reality technology

Morning Star is a virtual sculpture that stands as a testament to Karen Sewell’s fascination with the celestial and terrestrial realms, challenging traditional artistic expressions and inviting viewers on a transcendent journey into the cosmic expanse. Representing years of exploration and experimentation, this future-facing artwork aims to provoke dialogue and reflection in an era marked by technological advancement and environmental uncertainty. Through its imposing presence and timeless symbolism, Morning Star urges viewers to renegotiate their relationship with the universe and their role as stewards of the Earth. It represents a convergence of artistic vision, technological innovation, and spiritual inquiry, aimed to inspire awe and reverence for the interconnectedness of all life forms and the eternal beauty of the cosmos. This interactive, augmented reality work situated outside which will be active even over the summer break.

About the artist

Karen Sewell is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau whose impressive installations commonly incorporate a combination of sculpture, photography, painting, sound, scent and light. Working within the realm of the numinous, her practise explores the intersection of art and spirituality. Sewell holds a Master of Fine Arts (with Honours) in 2016 from Whitecliffe, College of Arts and Design.

Her work has featured in exhibitions in Aotearoa and internationally. She received the Waitakere Trust Art Awards’ Premier Award in 2011, was an award winner in the 2024 Molly Morpeth Canaday Art Awards, and in 2022 Luminary I Luminare was exhibited in the biennial exhibition, Personal Structures, held in Venice.