For nearly 20 years, Bolin has maintained a research back-ground in the area of religious symbology and iconography and its role in ancient theologies, including early to late Judaism and Christianity. Through his research into the more esoteric aspects of ancient religious doctrine, Bolin upholds the belief that there exists the application of a formulaic gematria – a sacred geometrical pattern encoded within some religious earthworks, art, and architecture. Much of his own artwork is heavily influenced by this research. Bolin’s particular concept of angels – as depicted in Ex Silentium – is a derivative of the Enochian Watchers discovered within the ancient manuscripts recovered in the mid 20th century from Khirbet Qumran, the remains of the Essene Jewish Community (Israel, 2nd Century BCE). This is also reflected by the many angelic incarnations found within his illustrations and sculptures.
“My perspective on theology is through a pure anthropological lens, And as an anthropologist, I can not allow my expectations to be colored with a biased religious persuasion. Theology, like any cultural element, must be evaluated within its own cultural context. One must leave religious bias at the door and take a fresh perspective to understand the role of religion and the power it demonstrates within the societal framework. And this power is substantiated and conveyed by the iconographic architectural structures. My art, although not deliberately, is just another example of the influential power of having been exposed to theology – even for someone who isn’t religious. Its innate roots grow and evolve. It becomes an integrated component within our psyche.”
