Tyr & Oggun: War of a New Beginning

This art piece brings together Tyr, the Norse god of law, courage, and sacrifice, with Oggun, the Yoruba orisha of iron, warfare, and transformation. Both figures embody disciplined force—energy capable of breaking cycles, defending truth, and forging new paths. Their merged presence in this composition depicts conflict as a catalyst for rebirth rather than destruction.

The central figure’s blue tongue, sharpened into the form of Oggun’s iconic machete, represents the power to cut through obstacles, illusions, and endings. Emerging lilies bloom along its edge—symbols of purity, transition, and the quiet renewal that follows the close of a life cycle. These floral forms remind viewers that even in the aftermath of struggle, something tender and new can rise.

Dynamic contrasts in color and anatomy express the tension between strength and vulnerability, chaos and clarity. The surrounding red field intensifies the sense of heat, urgency, and transformation, while geometric and organic elements intertwine to reflect the fusion of mythologies.

Tyr & Oggun: War of a New Beginning positions conflict as a sacred turning point—where endings carve fertile ground for beginnings, and where two great traditions meet in a shared understanding of courage, sacrifice, and renewal.

Height: 2ft x 2ft

Media: Polychromatic oil color pencil on Wood with resin

Year: 2025

Artist: Ray A. Tenorio

Custom self-framed

artwork by the artist