Description of work.

This digitally manipulated photograph of Sufi Dancers was taken by the artist, in Istanbul. It pictures the Whirling Dervishes of Menlevi Lodge. Although a commercialised spectacle for tourists the solemnity of expression and beauty of posture and movement, is evidence of the authenticity of this religious practice.This lodge has a long history dating back to Rumi. Wikapedia states that, \'The Mevlevi Order, are a Sufi order founded in Konya (in present-day Turkey) by the followers of Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Balkhi-Rumi, a 13th century Persian poet, Islamic jurist, and theologian. They are also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of God). Dervish is a common term for an initiate of the Sufi path; the whirling is part of the formal Sema ceremony.........................The Mawlawi order was founded in 1273 by Rumi\'s followers after his death............. The Mawlawi believe in performing their dhikr in the form of a \"dance\" and music ceremony called the Sema, which involves the whirling from which the order acquired its nickname.................. The Sema represents a mystical journey of man\'s spiritual ascent through mind and love to \"Perfect\". Turning towards the truth, the follower grows through love, deserts his ego, finds the truth and arrives at the \"Perfect\". He then returns from this spiritual journey as a man who has reached maturity and a greater perfection, so as to love and to be of service to the whole of creation.\'Barbara E Shepard\'s interest in this subject matter is not only fed by her love of the country but her recent art work is focusing on exploring different aspects of masculinity and dance. Most religious practices tend to promote restraint. However the transcendental nature of the \'sema\' employs dance and music as an entry point for elevating the spirit. An exclusively male practice, \'whirling\' modifies the psyche via a process of unification and surrender.