Matt's Newest Creations

The newest series of works by Matt Paskiet are titled Apotropaic Vessels. The works are loosely based on the mythology of the Evil Eye and the development of talismans designed to protect their owners from its negative curse.

The Evil Eye is a belief that the envy elicited by the good luck of fortunate people may result in their misfortune. In many forms of the Evil Eye belief, a person can curse or harm adults, children, livestock, or a possession, simply by looking at them with envy.

Attempts to ward off the curse of the Evil Eye have resulted in a number of talismans in many cultures. As a class, they are called "apotropaic" talismans, meaning that they turn away or turn back harm. Disks or balls, consisting of concentric circles representing an Evil Eye are commonly found in many Mediterranean decorative elements. In some forms of the folklore, these decorative eyes are supposed to protect their owner by bending the malicious gaze back to the envious looker.