Exhibition Text:
As I Grew
Sacred Vessel
6.2 x 14.5 cm
April 27, 2015
The purpose of this elephant for ME was tho remind me of how as I grow I gain more knowledge. Why the elephant? When I was younger, my mom would watch many Hindu 'novelas' or shows, and they would adore elephants, decorate them, etc. At that time I never quite understood what exactly the elephant represented. Now I do. I go back and acknowledge my past.
Sacred Vessel
6.2 x 14.5 cm
April 27, 2015
The purpose of this elephant for ME was tho remind me of how as I grow I gain more knowledge. Why the elephant? When I was younger, my mom would watch many Hindu 'novelas' or shows, and they would adore elephants, decorate them, etc. At that time I never quite understood what exactly the elephant represented. Now I do. I go back and acknowledge my past.
Process:
The main material I used to make the elephant, was clay, Clay must seem easy to work with, but the texture of clay is very hard to manipulate and work with. And very sticky, depending if it's wet, semi wet or dry. I started off my by making a small ball and slowly adding more clay to make the body. After shaping it, I made the trunk and after the four feet. After the process of smoothing it out, I fired it, painted black, glossed it and let it dry. I added some decorations, like beads and patterned paper to imitate the Hindu's elephants.
Inspiration:
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Meaning/Research:
Known as Ganesha's elephant in Hinduism, who is the remover of obstacles, patron of arts and sciences and the deva of intellect and wisdom. This god is honored at the start of rituals and ceremonies. He is also one of five prime Hindu deities and also represents "perfect wisdom". Followers of Ganesha always pray to him before beginning of a new venture in life to remove obstacles that would block their way. Overall that's why in Hindu ceremonies elephants are highly appreciated. CITE: "Ganesha Stories : Rise of the Indian God." The Ganesha Experience. 2012. Web. 09 May 2016. |
I was inspired by the web mainly. As I was researching Hinduism and Ganesha's elephant, I came across this picture. I really liked it because it basically summarized the symbolism of Ganesha. It also matched the expectations I had on my elephant art piece. The one on the right 'Ganesha' is by Odile Moulin. The one on the left 'Ganesha with Consorts Riddhi and Siddhi' by Raja Ravi Varma.
Rafa Ravi Varma is regarded as a significant artist who brought about the birth of a new identity for images of Hindo gods withing popular culture. In many literary or pictorial interepretatins of the history of modern and contemporary art in India, Ravi Varma is seen as an instrumental figure who triggered a historic trend that led to the emergence of modern art in India.
Rafa Ravi Varma is regarded as a significant artist who brought about the birth of a new identity for images of Hindo gods withing popular culture. In many literary or pictorial interepretatins of the history of modern and contemporary art in India, Ravi Varma is seen as an instrumental figure who triggered a historic trend that led to the emergence of modern art in India.
Reflection:
One of the best thing about this art piece, I didn't need to sketch it meaning I didn't have to think of what I wanted to do. I already had an idea, and I was sticking to it , since I really liked my idea. Another benefit was the outcome, learning wise, I learned a bit more about Hinduism, and Ganesha. However when I finished my elephant I fired it, therefore it broke into three pieces, the trunk and one foot came off. At that point I panicked thinking I had to restart. But I remembered how I was going to decorate it , add beads etc. So I glued it back together and hid the cracks with beads, making an interesting design mean while hiding the cracks.
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"Wallpapers Background." Indian Elephant Wallpaper. Web. 09 May 2016. |