Art Under Will: Aleister Crowley’s Thelema

The picture at the top shows one of the works on display at Art Under Will, an exhibition of art inspired by Aleister Crowley’s Thelema, due to open to the public at Atlantis Bookshop in London next Monday.

Presented by Amarantos Oasis O.T.O, the exhibition aims to unite the worlds of art and occultism with a display of artwork created by members and friends of Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) an international fraternal initiatory order dedicated to securing the civil and religious freedom of the individual.

The organisers say this presentation of contemporary visual artworks is the first of its kind in the UK held in conjunction with the celebration of the centenary of the British section of the O.T.O. and the 90th anniversary of Atlantis Bookshop.

Art Under Will is a rare opportunity for members of the public to glimpse into the personal artwork of individuals who are actively engaged with Thelema - the magickal and religious philosophy expounded by the English poet, mystic and occultist, Aleister Crowley (1875-1947).

“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law” is the central tenet of Thelemic philosophy.

Exhibitors are from many walks of life, each having their own style and preferred media, but all are inspired by the principles of Thelema.

Aleister Crowley has informed the work of many renowned artists in diverse fields; filmmakers Kenneth Anger, Brian Butler and Ken Russell, legendary musicians Jimmy Page, David Bowie and Graham Bond. Crowley’s Thoth Tarotexecuted by Lady Frieda Harris is acknowledged as a masterpiece of symbolic art. Crowley also famously collaborated with Rodin.

The aim of the Art Under Will exhibition is to inspire others to discover Thelema for themselves.

The exhibition is open for public viewings from Monday 2 April to Saturday 14 April between 10-30am and 6pm (except 8 and 9 April when it is open from noon to 3pm)

Atlantis Bookshop is at 49a Museum Street London WC1A 1LY www.theatlantisbookshop.com. Tel 020 7405 2120. Here is a link to a map of the area from streetmap: http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=530180&Y=181525&A=Y&Z=110 

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http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/03/happy-birthday-atlantis-bookshop.html
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http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/03/news-crowley-rock-opera-and-occult.html
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Crowley Thoth Tarot Deck Standard