THE FAIRY'S BLISS/ a figurative ceramic sculpture by eric whollem

                                                    

                                                        The Fairy's Bliss

                                                        2007

                                                        by Eric Whollem

                                                        oxides and copper carbonate on earthenware

                                                        Collection of the artist.

                                                        5 7/8"

                                                              Photo copyright by the artist.

SALMON MOTHER/ A ceramic sculpture based on California Maidu Indian lore

   

         

              Salmon Mother

              2006

              by Eric Whollem

              natural iron oxide in acrylic emulsion on white clay

              Collection of the artist

              10.5"

                       Photo copyright by the artist.

Mako Kollem

"Mako" means salmon in the Concow Maidu Indian

language. "Kollem" means woman. In my interaction

with the Maidu I never heard a story about Mako

Kollem. This is my own storytelling here, as it is

winter and the time for tales. . . .

SUPI POBOKU: A RIVER OF MYSTERIES

Below the ridge where I lived in the Feather Falls

area runs Supi Poboku, the Middle Fork of the Feather

River.

SHRINE OF THE GODDESS OF SEA SERPENTS/ a figurative ceramic sculpture

                                     

                                          Goddess of Sea Serpents

                                          2005

                                          by Eric Whollem

                                          earth paints on white clay; ceramic oxides

                                          Collection of the artist.

                                          6" x 5"

                                                Photo copyright by the artist.

SEA SERPENTS

FACTS AND FANCY

Various authors such as Erik Ludvigsen Pontopiddan and

Bernard Heuvelmans have written about sea serpents, but

have given those of us who prefer the delights of imagination

a rather stale tale of "scientific" nomenclature.

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:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/mythographic%20art

See more of my Ceramic Masks on this link:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/ceramic%20masks

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

MASK OF WOCTOLLY

by Eric Whollem

 

My gallery of Ceramic Sculptures may be seen here:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/ceramic%20art

Ceramic sculpture video.                          

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

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/mermaids

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:

http://artblogericwhollem.blogspot.com/search/label/amphitritonia

   Amphitritonian stamp video.                  

*

MANCO CAPAC, FATHER OF THE INCA DOLPHIN PEOPLE/ a ceramic sculpture

                                           

                                                Manco Capac

                                                2007

                                                by Eric Whollem

                                                oxides on white clay

                                                Collection of the artist

                                                1.5" x 3"

                                                  Photo copyright by the artist.

THE LEGEND OF LAKE TITICACA

MYSTERIES OF THE DOLPHIN PEOPLE

A Peruvian woman once told me that every school child in Peru

knows the story of Manco Capac and Macma Ocllo, the first

Incan king and queen.

FAY/ a figurative ceramic sculpture by eric whollem

                    

                         Fay

                         2007

                         by Eric Whollem

                         oxides on white clay

                         Collection of the artist.

                         9.5"

                                          Photo copyright by the artist.

A FAIRY GODDESS

The fairy goddess prays for the restoration of the

pollinators of our planet. Insects such as butterflies

are diminishing in great numbers due to the neglect

of human society. Insecticides are killing them.