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Mixed Media on Paper | 2025 | Kristen Palana
Created during the Mudhouse Artist Residency, Crete

For thousands of years, much of our world has been shaped by imbalance—where masculine energy, once meant to protect, lead, and serve, has been distorted into dominance, control, and separation. But within each of us—regardless of gender—exist both masculine and feminine energies:

• Masculine: structure, action, logic, protection
• Feminine: intuition, creativity, nurturing, receptivity

When these energies harmonize, they create a powerful whole. But when one dominates—disconnection, burnout, and trauma emerge. This piece envisions how divine masculine energy might look when in sacred partnership with the feminine.

The Geometry: A Structure for Change

At the center is a 64 Tetrahedron Grid, a form from sacred geometry believed to reflect the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Often aligned with masculine qualities, this structure becomes here a container for balance and transformation.

Inner Patterns: Crete’s Ancient Harmony

The inner sections feature patterns from Minoan civilization, thought to be an early example of one of the world’s earliest egalitarian cultures.
Linear (masculine) and circular (feminine) motifs interweave—echoing balance, cooperation, and collective wisdom.


Outer Waters: A Global Resonance

Surrounding the form, patterns from every inhabited continent ripple like water around an island. They contain drops of real water from both the Aegean and Ionian Seas, liquid threads connecting diverse lands and histories. The waters symbolize not only cultural convergence but also the unifying force of healing across boundaries.

Mini Meditation Invitation

Look, breathe, and be still.
Let this piece shift what feels off-kilter back toward balance.