THE SUNBOAT
1984
by Eric Whollem
mixed media on paper
9" x 6"
Collection of the artist
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST
ARCHETYPES OF THE COLLECTIVE UNCONSCIOUSNESS
Carl Jung, the famous psychologist, developed a theory to the effect that
human cultural expressions often manifest as emanations from what he
termed the 'collective unconscious.'
The generally accepted opposing theory is that similar cultural expressions
in regions far removed one from the other are manifestations of diffusion,
wherein motifs are spread through migration, exploration, or other contacts
made by travellers.
The Sunboat, is an archetype that appears in very diverse locations: such as
Siberia and Egypt. This might suggest that it was developed independently,
or is a proof of Jung's theory of the collective unconsciousness. In my own
art I created the Sunboat design originally without any awareness of the
controversies surrounding the image. It seemed to arise from my own
consciousness, rather than any book or image that I happend to view.
The painting above is not my first (and 'innocent') depiction of the Sunboat
motif. I have painted it numerous times subsequently, as in the case of the
image depicted above.
The Sunboat
1985
by Eric Whollem
earth paints on panel
4' x 3'
Collection of the artist
COPYRIGHT BY THE ARTIST
This earth painting, made from natural pigments, painted in 1985 depicts
the Sunboat in the form generally seen in artistic images around the world.
The Sunboat is said to be comprised of a ship form with a central mast to
which a circular form with a cross is affixed.
I am not personally a Jungian, in fact, I champion such advocates of
diffusionism as Thor Heyerdahl, who posited years ago that seafarers
have for centuries been able to travel vast distances across the oceans
of the world. Heyerdahl's Ra and Kon Tiki expeditions, featuring ocean
going reed boats bear witness to the plausibilty of his theories.
Jungians favor the example of the widespread maze forms found in
greatly diverse areas of the world, as 'proofs' of Jung's collective
unconsciousness theory. Jung may have derived his theory in part from
the works of Helene Blavatsky, who in her book, 'The Secret Doctrine,'
spoke of the 'collective consicousness.'
________________________
See more of my PICTOGRAPHIC ABSTRACTIONS on these posts:
THE VIDEO BELOW
DEPICTS MORE OF MY
WORKS OF A PICTOGRAPHIC CHARACTER
Video by Eric Whollem
See more of my posts on ARCHETYPES:
This link will take you to my posts on THEOSOPHY, for those interested in the works of Helene Blavatsky:
Readers may be interested in what Wikipedia has to say about the SOLAR DEITY:
*
