The angel lies prone. Agony on his face. His wings spread over the broken rock. A creature of magnificence who should fly, exalt in life and yet he is moored to the ground. Why? He is one of a series of angels depicting a human fault or vice. These faults or vices are not sins in the religious sense but rather limitations that we inflict upon ourselves. Fear, violence, low self-esteem, institutionalized religion, superstitious beliefs, prejudice, greed, envy, hatred are dangerous legacies of our past.
Emotions and concepts we can no longer afford to harbor and tolerate in our lives. We have the capabilities to excel and transcend our animalistic lower natures but we are often short of the mark. David's goal is to be a bit controversial, to stir thought and emotions by juxtaposing religious motifs against the real crimes of mankind. Despero is meant to be a powerful, highly stylized, beautiful being with tremendous potential yet grounded by "what"? What do we constrain our own lives with? When you answer that question you will know the meaning.
Others in the series include Astrictus, Proditrix, Vanus, Negotium, Dedecus, Corrumpo, Vulgivagus, Improbus, Invidia, Falsus, Odium, and Timoris. It is left up to you to seek an understanding of who or what each will be. If you know an ancient language you will be well on your way to figuring out the Angel's afflictions.
