Grievance Beast

Glazed White Clay with Foil Leaf

2007

A proof of concept of an idea proposed by artist, sociologist, web guru and religious scholar Rick Smith for a new holiday tradition to take place either on Halloween or New Year's Eve. The Grievance Beast is a covered candle lamp that receives small pieces of paper in its demonic jaws and consumes them with purifying flame in its belly. One hand holds the sanctified pencil or pen while the other presents a surface for a small pad. According to the tradition, one writes one's grievances upon a piece of paper then inserts it into the mouth. When the demon stops emitting smoke, one knows one's trouble has been committed to the nether regions. Incantations are up to the operator. Smith's original sketch is included.

Private collection.

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