Heaven’s Gate, charcoal/acrylic on paper (fusain/acrylique sur papier) 52” x 6’ (133,35 cm x 1,83 m) © 1997; detail below/détail en-dessous. I enjoy exploring the connections and similiarities between today and the past, the modern and the ancient. This drawing was created in this vein. The drawing is about a cult, Heaven’s Gate, and it’s leader, Do (a one Mr. Applewhite). Following the beliefs and philosophy of their beloved leader, most of the members of the cult, along with their leader, committed mass suicide in California in 1996 in order to continue to the next Level of Existence. They believed that their souls would journey to an alien ship coming for them, which was hidden behind the then traveling through space, Halley’s Comet. So, I’ve made Applewhite to resemble an ancient philosopher or cult leader, with a eunuch beside him (most of the males of the cult castrated themselves for him), I’ve placed their web site on the computer between them (this is how he distributed his teachings and tracts) and the extra terrestrials dancing above around their ship and the comet. my.personal.site ©keith.sarver.2002-10