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Lunette Panel by Richard Oliver Gross
Photo Credit Cathy Currie |
The lunette panel above the door of Waikumete Crematoriums chapel 1, is one of three sculptures that £650.00 was set aside to pay for in the 1949 work specifications during the planning process of the building of the new crematorium for the city of Auckland. [1] It was sculpted by renowned local artist Richard Oliver Gross [2] and appears to depict the Greek goddess Ananke or Necessity spinning the universe. She draws threads from the heavens on to the spindle at her knee. In the myth of Er she spins with sirens singing in harmony through the strands of time and fate as souls journey though them from death, and with their destinies spun, to be reborn. [3]
Lillies carved on the panel growing at Ananke’s feet are inspired by Job 14:2 “ He cometh forth like a flower: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.” [2] [4] And trumpeting angels seem to herald the cycle of life.
