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| Survey of my sculptural ceramic shrines; old and new. |
Enshrined:
1: to enclose in or as if in a shrine
2: to preserve or cherish as sacred
Shrine:
1. a : a case, box, or receptacle; especially : one in which sacred relics (as the bones of a saint) are deposited
b : a place in which devotion is paid to a saint or deity : sanctuary
c : a niche containing a religious image
2: a receptacle (as a tomb) for the dead
3: a place or object hallowed by its associations
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| Sculptural ceramic shrines in progress for an upcoming firing/workshop. |
I build shrines. I want to create a special space, apart, and elevated in importance to house objects. I often enshrine natural objects, and things that have symbolic meaning to me personally or in a larger mythic/cultural context. Last week and this week I have designed and constructed more ceramic shrine forms than in the entirety of last year. (Thats a guess, but I'm 75% sure its accurate.) Why the "creative frenzy"? I have signed up to do a workshop at month's end, where I will be wood firing and salt glaze/firing 20-30 pieces. That's quite a lot for me...
But it has had me reflecting on the shrine idea... its an idea I return to again and again in sculpture and in jewelry. This first piece was a reversible mixed media locket of sorts. It was themed around research I had done into my German heritage and the town of Stade, where my maternal ancestors originated. ( Done for Tesori Trovati's "Challenge of Travel" it is on my blog in detail.)
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| My heritage/history piece: copper, mica, paper, resin, map, key, micro beads, tube rivets, micro bolts. |
Since I have been working in polymer these last few years I have tried my hand using that medium in a similar fashion. I have recently been experimenting with a few new ways of fabricating shrines in polymer - Ill share those soon.
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| Polymer shrine pendants showcasing Italian Tarot images from the late 1800's. |
There are many artists that conceptually share the "Shrine" concept that appeals to me - from metal clay, traditional metals/fabrication to mixed media/found objects. Let me take you on a brief tour of inspiration.
I haven't had the good fortune to meet Jen in her teaching travels when she is in the States from her native Australia, but I hope to some day. I love the sense of age and mystery that comes form integrating found objects into new pieces. I also find the book form a very meaningful and potent symbol.
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| Jen Crossley: Found Object Compositions. |
Thank you Pinterest for taking me here. I am in awe. What else is there to say?! I an fascinated with enclosures, and the revel/conceal contrast. The wearer holds the secrets, the knowledge, and can choose to share that with the viewer. Or not...
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| Christi Anderson: "Garden of Good and Evil" |
A more modern industrial look, and some tongue in cheek humor. Again the reverse reveals a hidden message...
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| Michael Thee: "Start Something" |
From Dana's site: "
...that this necklace will be included in Showcase 500 Art Necklaces, being released this summer by Lark Publishing! I am so happy to be included in this wonderful collection. The locket was created as a portrait of my great-grandmother, Georgia Helen Griffith. She was was an independent, college-educated woman who traveled to Jamaica in 1890 as a Quaker missionary. The materials in the locket include etched copper, sterling, sapphire, garnet, and found objects; elements are hand fabricated and lost wax cast. Above the antique map on the back of the locket is the Quaker star. "
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| Dana Stenson: "Portrait of my Grandmother" |
Wanaree Tanner: Tanner/Teiken Again - this piece is a locket and a shrine. I can't find the words. So stunning.
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| Wanaree Tanner: "Year of the Dragon" |
Thanks for taking that tour with me. I am always striving to present a cohesive body of work from shrines to decorative tiles to jewelry. I see a series of shrine pendants in my future, echoing motifs in my tiles... And I have wanted to do shrine structures with removable/wearable pieces for years!
I look forward to what ever future inspiration brings!
