Tuesday, November 2, 2010

MASK OF THE KING OF SHAMBHALA/ 'Kalki'/ Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ A wallpiece with beads/ Buddhist American Folk Art/ Oxides on white earthenware clay




Kalki
2006
by Eric Whollem
oxides on white earthenware clay
with ceramic beads by the artist
Private collection
12" x 9"
PHOTO BY M. SPIELMANN

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The King of Shambhala

A previous post of mine dealt in detail with the Tibetan legends
of Shambhala, a mystic realm accessible only to the enlightened.
The story of Shangri La is based on Shambhala. The Shangri La
story is found in the book, 'Lost Horizon,' which was also made
into a Hollywood movie.

According to both Hindu and Buddhist belief Kalki, the King of
Shambhala, will return at the end of times to bring about victory
of righteousenss. The Hindus regard Kalki as the last incarnation
of Vishnu.

Kalki is usually depicted on horseback. Many images of Kalki
are found in Tibetan folk art. This sculpted mask is my own
mythopoetic interpretation of Kalki.

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See my post of the MAP TO SHAMBHALA on this link:

My CERAMIC ART may be seen here:

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METAPHYSICAL ART

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LAXMI/ Ceramic Hindu Goddess Sculpture by Eric Whollem/ Volcanic earth paints from Mt. Shasta on white earthenware clay/ FIGURATIVE CERAMIC SCULPTURE




Laxmi
1991
by Eric Whollem
volcanic pumice from Mt. Shasta
on white earthenware clay
Private collection
6"
PHOTO COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

The Goddess Laxmi as She Appears on My Cinderella Stamp Editons From Amphora

About ten years ago I produced some limited editon faux
postage stamps (or cinderella stamps), which bore images
of my ceramic Goddess sculptures. These stamps appeared
in a stamp book, now out of print, entitled, 'The Mermaids of
Amphora.'  In this book I explored the relationship of the
symbolism of 'water' to the Goddess concept. One of the ancient
symbols of the Goddess are zig zag lines representing the
aquatic element. Marija Gimbutas, in her book, 'The Language
of the Goddess,' goes into this in depth.

In ancient Egypt 'Mer' was the name given to the Goddess from
early times. The word 'mer' means both mother and water.

Innumerable Goddesses have thus been aquatic in nature. And
mermaids themselves are very sacred in many cultures.

In the Puranas of India all things were born of Sri, the Goddess who
manifested in the Milk Ocean at the beginning of time. Laxmi is
often described as the consort of the creator God Brahma. She is
the Goddess of Fortune.


Laxmi
AMPHORA
2001
by Eric Whollem
Edition of 100, plus ten artist's proofs
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST

Mt. Shasta Earth Used for Ceramic Pigmentation

This sculpture of Laxmi was painted with volcanic ash paint,
gathered near Mt. Shasta, California. Volcanic earths do not
adhere when fired in a kiln, as they contain no kaolin, or clay
body. Thus I have utilized acrylic emulsion as the binder for the
paint, which was applied after firing. This produces an enduring
paint that is waterproof.

In the cultures of many countries, especially of Mesoamerica,
ceramic sculptures are painted after firing.


Those interested in more GODDESS ART should view this link:

See my posts of CERAMIC SCULPTURE here:

This link will take you to my posts about MT. SHASTA:

See my STAMPS FROM AMPHORA on this link:

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