Title: Native Totem
Size: 16.5cm x 18.5cm. Medium: Clay Sculpture March 2016 Exhibition Text: This piece is a clay sculpture that represents a sacred vessel. My clay sculpture is a totem pole, and it's a Native American vessel that is sacred to them. I've always been fascinated with the totem pole, and how the Native Americans connect humans and animals with their spiritual values and abilities. |
Artistic Inspiration:
My artistic inspiration for my clay sculpture is Harry Benally. He is a woodcarver and is part of the Navajo Tribe. He is known for his woodcarvings and his silversmith works. His works are based off of the spirituality and the virtues and values of the Navajo Tribe. In each of his carvings, their is a clean craftsmanship and smooth polished wood. The animals in his carvings symbolize many things in his culture, such as totems which characterize an animal which can also characterize a person. For example, an Eagle symbolizes leadership so if a person's totem is an Eagle then it can be seen that they could show leadership.
My artistic inspiration for my clay sculpture is Harry Benally. He is a woodcarver and is part of the Navajo Tribe. He is known for his woodcarvings and his silversmith works. His works are based off of the spirituality and the virtues and values of the Navajo Tribe. In each of his carvings, their is a clean craftsmanship and smooth polished wood. The animals in his carvings symbolize many things in his culture, such as totems which characterize an animal which can also characterize a person. For example, an Eagle symbolizes leadership so if a person's totem is an Eagle then it can be seen that they could show leadership.
Citations:
Harold Carey Jr. Harry Benally Navajo Arts. Utah Web Design, 1994. Web. 18 March 2016. http://navajo-arts.com/index.html Harold Carey Jr. Navajo Culture. Word Press Admin, 2012. Web. 18 March 2016. http://navajo-arts.com/blog/navajo-sculpture-and-silversmith-harry-benally/ Benally, Harry. Dine' Lady. 2010. Wood Carved Sculpture. New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe. |
Process:
For my Sacred Vessel sculpture, I wanted to focus on the Native American totem pole. It symbolizes characteristics and skills of that particular animal that is carved on the totem pole. A totem pole symbolizes more than just skills and characteristics, it is a significant spiritual object in the Native American cultures.A totem is a spirit being, sacred object, or symbol of a tribe, clan, family or individual. For my totem pole, I wanted to have two totems/animals that represented me and who I am. Except, I wanted to display the sacred value of the totem pole, and how it is an object that is sacred. The two totems/animals that are featured on the totem pole that I created was the Eagle and the Wolf.
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The Eagle totem, symbolizes leadership, courage, intelligence, and healing. The Wolf symbolizes loyalty, perseverance, intuition, and spirit. Both of these totems that I chose connect to how I see myself as a person. To me sacred is a religious dedication and some connection to God. To me, a vessel is an object that holds something and contains meaning. I believe that a totem pole is capable of fulfilling those two aspects of this project being Sacred and Vessel.
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To the right is the clay sculpture that I created which is a totem pole. I wanted to incorporate the style and detail that the Native Americans added to give the animals that were carved onto the totem pole. It's the appearance of the shapes of the features of the animals that stand out, and create an appealing appearance to the carving itself. In this case, the detail being on a clay sculpture. For the Eagle, I wanted to make the wings three-dimensional to give it the wide wingspan that the Eagle has. This wingspan is also constantly seen on real carved totem pole Eagles. The Wolf was actually more difficult in the way of what features to make three-dimensional. In most totem poles I observed that the Wolf has two front legs that are carved to give it the three-dimensional feel, along with the head and ears. That's what is most notable by many people and the Native cultures about the Wolf.
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Reflection:
Overall, my Sacred Vessel clay sculpture went better than planned. The hardest part of the sculpting was to prevent air bubbles. I came across a few air bubbles, but also one large one that needed to be fixed in order to continue on with the sculpture. Another area that was a little bit of a struggle was replicating the details on the actual carved animals on the totem poles, to attempt to make the animals look like what they should on a totem pole. Except on this totem pole it was detailing with clay. Throughout this piece, I learned more about the Native American cultures, and their uses of visual arts in their culture. It was unique to not just learn more about the culture, but to make the connections between the culture and totem pole. Especially how the totem pole is a spiritual figure in the Native American culture, and just how it exemplifies my own definition of Sacred and Vessel, and how they both come together to create this sculpture. One thing that I would change is my approach to the details on each animal. Some areas of the detailing weren't symmetrical and it also allows the use of my own style of artwork. One thing that I like about what I did on the sculpture and throughout the process is having a positive attitude, and reflecting on the craftsmanship of the peace throughout the process too.
Overall, my Sacred Vessel clay sculpture went better than planned. The hardest part of the sculpting was to prevent air bubbles. I came across a few air bubbles, but also one large one that needed to be fixed in order to continue on with the sculpture. Another area that was a little bit of a struggle was replicating the details on the actual carved animals on the totem poles, to attempt to make the animals look like what they should on a totem pole. Except on this totem pole it was detailing with clay. Throughout this piece, I learned more about the Native American cultures, and their uses of visual arts in their culture. It was unique to not just learn more about the culture, but to make the connections between the culture and totem pole. Especially how the totem pole is a spiritual figure in the Native American culture, and just how it exemplifies my own definition of Sacred and Vessel, and how they both come together to create this sculpture. One thing that I would change is my approach to the details on each animal. Some areas of the detailing weren't symmetrical and it also allows the use of my own style of artwork. One thing that I like about what I did on the sculpture and throughout the process is having a positive attitude, and reflecting on the craftsmanship of the peace throughout the process too.