Thursday, February 18, 2010

MASK OF POSEIDON/ a ceramic sculpture by eric whollem




                                        
                                             Mask of Poseidon
                                             2002
                                             by EricWhollem
                                             oxides on white clay, a mask with ceramic beads by the artist;
                                                     with flax cord.
                                            Collection of the artist.
                                            5" x  5"
                                                  Photo copyright by the artist.

THE SACRED MERMAN
AND THE TRUTH ABOUT THE SIRENS

Poseidon legendarily bore the trident, or three-pointed
fisherman's spear. This was more than a spear, but was
a symbol in the ancient mysteries. It represents the power
of initiation, the transformation of an individual to enlighten-
ment. Poseidon was one of many Greek sea gods, but
came into prominence in his day.

Mermaids and mermen are considered very sacred in many
cultures. In Hungary, for example, churches are filled with
images of mermaids. A Hungarian woman told me that
mermaids are angels to the mind of the Hungarian.


Mermaid
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
Private Collection
12"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE


THE SIRENS IN THE ODYSSEY

The mermaids have gotten a bad image due to a false reading
of Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey. The Sirens that tried
to lure Odysseus to his doom are said to have been vile
seductresses by many. But when one reads the Odyssey
with a clear mind one sees that Odysseus was a rapist,
a thief, a murderer of the son of Poseidon, and a blasphemer
of Athena, a chief goddess of the Greeks.

The Sirens were doing their duty as the "scourges" of the gods.
Such scourges are the policewomen of the world of the gods.

Mermaids today have a poor track record due to unfair
and inaccurate belief that Sirens are seducers of sailors.


Nereid
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
Private collection
12"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST



THE NEREIDS: SAVIORS OF SAILORS

In fact the Greeks regarded mermaids as saviors of sailors.
The Nereids, the true Greek mermaids, were said to be
helpers of sailors at sea.

What the mermaids need is a less mythological account
of ancient mythology.

The Sirens are featured in the Eleusinian Mysteries as the
Chorus of the Naiads. They are offspring of Achelous, the
River God.

____________

Readers interested in my posts on Mythographic Art may want to view:

See more of my Ceramic Masks on this link:

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE


MASK OF WOCTOLLY
by Eric Whollem


 
My gallery of Ceramic Sculptures may be seen here:



Ceramic sculpture video.                          

Those interested in my posts on Mermaids may want to see:


PORTAL OF THE SEASKY
digital art
by Eric Whollem


And those especially interested in Poseidon may want to see my faux postage stamps from Amphitritonia--especially my articles on the mysteries of the Sea God:



   Amphitritonian stamp video.                  
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