The Scribe of Kells
2006by Eric Whollem
copper carbonate and oxides on white
earthenware clay
Photo copyright by the artist
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Mythographic Sculpture
A DISCUSSION OF THE TERMS 'PRIMITVE,' 'NEOPRIMITIVE,' 'FAUX-NAIF' & 'AUTOCHTHONOUS' AS THEY MIGHT BE USED IN APPLICATION TO MODERN ART
Mythography is the science of mythology. It's practitioners are
a type of ethnographer or anthropologist. There have been many
terms and labels applied to the work of artists who have incorporated
ethnic materials into their art. Not all of these designations are completely
satisfactory. For example, the term 'neoprimitive' rings false because the
expression 'primitive' is now passe in anthropology and archaeology,
as it is perjorative to cultures outside the range of modern society.
A video of my ceramic sculptures.
It has been demonstrated seen that so-called 'primitive' peoples are in
fact quite sophisticated. Logically 'neoprimitive' should be just as
unsatisfactory as 'primitive;' so the use of both these terms is, in my
opinion, not entirely appropriate for a proper description of a work
of art.
