Friday, October 8, 2010

GODDESS AMULETS/ Ceramic Sculptures by Eric Whollem/ Notes on Marija Gimbutas/ MYTHOGRAPHIC ART/ Miniature pendants in clay/ WEARABLE ART




Goddess With a Leaf
2006
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

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Earth Goddess Amulet
TWO VIEWS
2006
by Eric Whollem
copper carbonate and oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST





Ocean Mother
2006
by Eric Whollem
oxides and found earth on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Goddess Amulets in Clay

The Goddess has been represented in art for thousands of years.
Marija Gimbutas, author of the book, Language of the Goddess,
which came out in the 1980's, is one of the world's leading authorities
on Goddess art. Her work was highly praised by Joseph Campbell
and Ashley Montague. I had the good fortune to have met her
at a convention of the Society for California Archaeology in the
early 1990's. She viewed an exhibit of my clay amulets there,
remarking that some of my work had an archaic Romanian flavor.

It will be obvious to many that my work also treats of the
iconography of the Venus of Wollendorf, as well.

Clay amulets, or pendants, are among the art forms known in
abundance from antiquity. The Goddess is featured prominently
among them.




Agape
2005
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.25"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Agape

Agape means 'understanding' in Greek.

This miniature sculpture has been enlarged considerably for
viewing on the computer screen. Having been a 'rock hound'
since I was a child, I have always attempted to give my
sculptures a rough appearance similar to that found in
natural minerals.

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Read about Marija Gimbutas on this link:

See my posts about the GODDESS here:

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BIRD MAN AMULET/ Figurative Ceramic Shamanic Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ Oxides on white earthenware clay/ Mythographic Abstraction




 Bird Man
2004
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Textures in Groggy Clay

As I most frequently utilize 'sculpture mix' clay to create my
ceramic sculptures, I find that the rough texture of the clay
can often add an interesting surface to the final work.

The brands I use most are Laguna or Imco Clay. . .either
white or terracotta. Other red clays, such as Laguna Hawaiian
Red has proven interesting to work with.

This piece was colored with ceramic oxides, burnished to
bring out the texture of the clay body.


BIRD MAN

Mythically Bird Man is represented in the Japanese figure
called the Tengu. He is also found in the petroglyphic arts
of Easter Island.

Basically my Bird Man is a shamanic figure. The shaman
is traditionally attributed with the powers of magical
flight. . .penetration into the astral dimension.

Bird Woman is well known as a shamanic archetype in the
Goddess traditions of Europe.

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Readers intersested in my posts on SHAMANISM can find them on this link:

See my CERAMIC AMULETS here:

My posts on MYTHOLOGY can be accessed here:

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MERMAID AMULET/ Abstract Ceramic Goddess Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ WEARABLE ART/ Oxides on white earthenware clay





Undine
2005
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
2.5"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The Undine

An undine is an aquatic nature spirit or a mermaid.
This sculpture renders the theme in a decidedly abstract
manner. I find that frequently my miniature sculptures
are quite freeing. Done quickly and informally they often
provide me with surprises, whereas a larger sculpture
can frequently be more limited, insofar as the weight
and drying time involved in clay work gives the artist
many more limitations. Smaller work has it's limitations
as well. No size factor is ultimate. Everything has it's
purpose, intentional and unintentional.

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See more of my CERAMIC SCULPTURES on this link: