GALLERY | Friday, August 8 | 5–8 PM | FREE
Earthbound Tarot Launch and Exhibition
As part of the ABQ Artwalk and the ArtStop Market on Friday, August 8, from 5–8 PM, Celine Gordon is displaying all the art from her Earthbound Tarot deck for the first time at FUSION | 708!
Earthbound Tarot is a unique tarot deck that bridges the natural world and human experience through the use of handmade earth pigments. These images are deeply connected to New Mexico’s landscapes, painted with rocks foraged from the region which have been transformed into vibrant watercolor paints. The process involves grinding the foraged rocks into fine dust, which is then mixed with natural binders to create rich, earthy pigments.
New Mexico has a rich artistic history around earth pigments: Diné and Puebloan people utilize earth pigments like red ochre, yellow ochre, and white kaolin clay to create vibrant murals and pottery designs. Similarly, the Santeros of northern New Mexico craft tempura paint from earth pigments and plant matter to create retablos and bultos. Celine embraces these methods to honor traditions passed down through generations while emphasizing the importance of preserving and revitalizing our cultural heritage.
The deck features 78 original paintings, with each card depicting an archetype of human experience. The Major Arcana explores universal themes like transformation, love, enlightenment, and renewal. These images also include the landscapes where the rocks were foraged from, creating a strong connection between the process and the end-result. Together, these cards span a journey from ignorance to wisdom, speaking to both the sacred and mundane parts of life.
The first card pull will be at 6:06 PM!
ABOUT CELINE GORDON
Celine Gordon is a full-time artist and educator focused on illustration, painting, and printmaking. She grew up in Albuquerque and is proud to be a 17th-generation New Mexican. Celine received her bachelor's degree in Art History and Architecture from Barnard College, later working for architecture and graphic design firms, including Luke Bulman Office in Brooklyn and Design Plus in Albuquerque. She also served as the education director for Indigo Moose, a sister organization of Design Plus, where she taught design programs for elementary and middle school students.
In 2020, Celine was honored as a SURFACE Emerging Artist by the Harwood Art Center, an experience that helped further establish her practice in New Mexico’s art community. She was a City of Albuquerque Urban Enhancement Trust Fund (UETF) Resident, where she taught earth pigment workshops to the public. She also currently teaches art and design independently through FUSE Makerspace and Harwood Art Center. Teaching is such an important part of how she shares work because it offers a way to engage with art in a communally focused way.
Celine has also been involved in several public art commissions for the City of Albuquerque, the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque Public Schools, Explora, UNM Hospital, and El Vado.
Looking to the future, Celine remains committed to creating art that celebrates the natural beauty of New Mexico and fosters community connection.