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:

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marija_Gimbutas

See my posts about the GODDESS here:

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

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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:

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

See my CERAMIC AMULETS here:

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

My posts on MYTHOLOGY can be accessed here:

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

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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:

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