Thursday, February 11, 2010

PARVATI/ A Figurative Ceramic Goddess Sculpture Painted With Volcanic Pumice From Mt.Shasta

                   

                                    
                        
                            Parvati
                            1992
                            by Eric Whollem
                            pumice from Mt. Shasta on terracotta
                           Collection of the artist.
                           11"
                                    Photo copyright by the artist.

A GODDESS OF THE HIMALAYAS

Parvati is an important Hindu Goddess. She is the consort of Shiva.
Insofar as she is associated with the Himalayas, it seemed appropriate
to color her with earth pigments that I gathered at Mt. Shasta. She is
called the Daughter of the Mountain.

_______________________

BELOW IS A VIDEO
THAT SHOWS MORE OF MY
GODDESS SCULPTURES
FEATURED AS A PART OF SOME OF MY
FAUX POSTAGE STAMP CREATIONS

ERIC WHOLLEM                                 

MOTHER OF SERPENTS/ A Figurative Ceramic Goddess Sculpture Painted With Pumice From Mt. Shasta

                                    

            
                      
                          Mother of Serpents
                          1992
                          by Eric Whollem
                          pumice from Mt. Shasta on white clay with copper
                         Collection of Michael Stratton
                         10"
                                  Photo copyright by the artist.


The Metaphysical Symbolism of the Serpent

In the lore of the Goddess the serpent is very sacred. In ancient
times water snakes were released  when people were looking for
a site to establish a temple. When the snake found a spring, that
site was chosen for the temple. Temples were established for
healing and dreaming. Temples used to be the hospitals of the
ancient world.


Red Snake Goddess
1995
by Eric Whollem
red iron oxide in
acrylic emulsion with Vibhuti
on white earthenware clay
Private collection
5.5" x 4"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The healing gods Aesculapius and Hygeia were both associated
with the serpent. The two serpents entwined on a staff are today
still a symbol of the medical profession.

Marija Gimbutas said that the coiled serpent was a water symbol.
Water is often considered a primary attribute of the Goddess
insofar as water is powerful, yet soft and malleable. Water also
is a symbol of emotions and feeling.


The White Goddess
1995
by Eric Whollem
white granite earth pigment on
 white earthenware clay
Private collection
5" x 4"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Moses raised a brazen serpent in the wilderness to guide the
Israelites in their wanderings. In the New Testament it is said:
"Be wise as serpents, but harmless as doves."

In India, the serpent energy is called Kundalini Yoga, a basic
practice for illumination.




         A sculpture video by Eric Whollem, 2011




 

THIS VIDEO PRESENTS A VARIETY OF MY
CERAMIC GODDESS SCULPTURES IN THE
FORMAT OF FAUX POSTAGE STAMPS
____________

Readers interested in my Ceramic Sculpture may want to see these posts:


This sheet of Poster Stamps shows the variety of sculptures
that I have created; the multicolored pieces
 best reflect the use of my
earth paints.

My posts on the topic of the Goddess can be found here:

My articles that deal with Earth Paints can be found on these posts:

If attracted to the lore of Mt. Shasta you can find what I have to say here:

ATARGATIS/ The Starwhale: Goddess of Dolphins/ A Figurative Ceramic Sculpture Painted With Natural Earth Paints

                

                                          
                                                      
                                                           Atargatis
                                                           1992
                                                           by Eric Whollem
                                                           earth paints on terracotta
                                                           Private collection.
                                                          14"
                                                              Photo copyright by the artist.

THE MOTHER OF THE ZODIAC

"The Mother of the Zodiac" was just one designation of Atargatis, the
ancient goddess of the Near East.

Her name means literally Star Whale. Derceto is her Babylonian
prototype. She also relates to Tara of Tibet and India.

The Greeks called the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Goats; these "goats"
were, in fact, the dolphins, the goats of the sea--playful beings.
The Babylonian god Ea, was anciently depicted with a goat's body
and a fish tail. He was a prototypical dolphin spirit. Interestingly
enough in Chinese astrology the sign Capricorn is the Dolphin.

I gave my sculpture of Atargatis goat's horns to symbolize her
connection to the Sea Ram, her husband, also known as Dagon,
the merman. This sculpture is painted with earth paints that I
gathered myself.

Atargatis was associated with the dolphins, and also was worshipped
at shrines with fish pools in the arid deserts of what became Palestine
in later times.

________________________

See my complete online image gallery of CERAMIC SCULPTURE:

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

CERAMIC FIGURINES
by Eric Whollem
*
Mythology, anthropology, mermaids, Star Whale.

WINDOW OF THE GODDESS/ A Figurative Ceramic Wallpiece Painted With Natural Ash Paint

   


               Window of the Goddess
               2003
               by Eric Whollem
               filtered wood ash in acrylic emulsion on white clay
               Private collection.
                    Photo copyright by the artist.

Ceramic Wallpieces

Light and shadow are basic in appreciation of bas relief
sculpture. This wallpiece was colorized with some of my
own homemade paints.