Our motivation for presenting these pieces in this category is under "news" in another area of the site. There is also more information about Alfred Eaker, and other works by him, under his full name.
The Mysterium series (1-11) was inspired by the Russian composer Scriabin, who had declared himself a god. He had started writing a symphony, Mysterium, that remained uncompleted when he died. He felt the world would dissolve in an apocalyptic bliss after its performance. From his notes, Alexander Nemtin co-created the Prefactory Action which has been performed to great acclaim. The artist himself states that "these paintings reflect a journey which began and ended with vague mumbo jumbo, a feeling of no direction and of being lost in despair." He goes on to state that Scriabin's work was also called "mumbo jumbo," connecting the two.
The remaining pieces relate, through palette and imagery, to the Mysterium series but were inspired by a variety of experiences; a brief conversion to Catholocism, Julie London songs, a "dark, lost sexuality." Threaded through many are cowboys, derived from a trip west, elongated figures and the vacant stares on the faces. The monochromatic tone indicates a "gray, numb feeling." All of these paintings led to the final three of his future wife, Whitney. Alfred did not paint again for three years, the first time he can ever remember not painting.
