Season Diane Dillon

The composition presents a scene divided into distinct registers, creating a layered narrative space. The overall aesthetic suggests a stylized representation, likely rooted in indigenous artistic traditions. A dominant palette of red, brown, black, and white is employed, with touches of green adding visual interest.
In the upper register, we see what appears to be an individual seated within a structure resembling a dwelling or ceremonial building. This figure holds a tool or implement that extends beyond the frame, suggesting activity or labor taking place outside our immediate view. The architectural elements are simplified and geometric, characteristic of a symbolic rather than realistic depiction.
The central register is populated by several figures engaged in various activities. A central male figure stands with arms raised, seemingly presiding over the scene. He wears an elaborate headdress featuring circular motifs that could represent celestial bodies or significant symbols within a belief system. Adjacent to him, another individual appears to be performing some kind of ritualistic action involving what looks like a small, seated person and several spherical objects. These spheres are scattered across the ground, appearing almost as offerings or components in a process.
To the right, a female figure is depicted with a child clinging to her leg. She too seems involved in the gathering of these spherical objects, contributing to the overall sense of communal effort. The patterns on her clothing are intricate and geometric, further emphasizing the stylized nature of the work.
The lower register consists primarily of stacked, repeating shapes that resemble stones or building blocks. These forms contribute to a sense of stability and foundation, perhaps symbolizing the accumulation of resources or the construction of something significant.
The inscription AND A TIME TO GATHER STONES TOGETHER provides a textual clue, reinforcing the interpretation of the scene as one involving labor, ritual, and communal effort. The gathering of stones could be literal – the collection of materials for building – or metaphorical, representing the accumulation of knowledge, experience, or spiritual strength.
The painting’s subtexts likely revolve around themes of community, tradition, and cyclical time. The stylized figures and geometric forms suggest a reverence for ancestral practices and a connection to a deeper symbolic order. The act of gathering stones implies not only physical labor but also the process of building something lasting – whether it be a structure, a culture, or a shared understanding of the world.