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Tinker Bell
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- Category: Sculptures
Tinker Bell was a fairy companion of Peter Pan in the stage play and novel by J. M. Barrie. Along with Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell has become a de facto mascot of the Walt Disney company and is remembered for famously dotting the "i" in the Disney signature logo. I originally had intended to sculpt a plain fairy, but opted to pay homage to the world's most beloved fairy, Tinker Bell. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
Zhu Bajie "Pigsy" from Journey to the West
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- Category: Sculptures
Zhu Bajie (猪八戒, 저팔계, ちょ はっかい) is a pig-like character in the famous 16th century Chinese novel Journey to the West. He, along with Sha Wujing, are the companions of Sun Wukong in their mission to protect Tang Sanzang, a Buddhist monk in a sacred pilgrimage. There are countless media adaptations of this classic tale throughout Asia, and a Japanese musical anime titled Alakazam the Great introduced these fantastic characters to American audiences in 1960. I remember seeing an airing of this for the first time on KTLA's Family Film Festival hosted by Tom Hatten during the 80's. In sculpting Zhu Bajie I wanted to try a different take and use a male boar for the head, but he ended up looking a lot like ALF from the 80-90's sitcom. I reverted him back to a typical pig-like appearance with his primary weapon, the Nine-toothed rake. I suppose it's only a matter of time before I sculpt Sha Wujing to complete the classic trio. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie - just need to sculpt Sha Wujing to complete the classic trio!
Wet clay model
Prometheus
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- Category: Sculptures
In Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan (like Atlas) who created man out of clay and also defied the gods by stealing fire and giving it to humanity, thereby enabling scientific and technological progress. As punishment, Zeus had Prometheus tied to a rock where an eagle fed on his liver, only for it to regenerate the next day when the eagle would eat it again. The concept of man being created from clay or earth is a theme that can be found in many ancient myths and religions - a similarity that is intriguing in and of itself. With his sculpting human forms from clay and his gifting of fire to mankind, Prometheus can even be considered the patron god of ceramic artists - which is the overall theme of my piece. I sculpted the flames so that it can be removed and replaced with a small candle. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Prometheus candle holder
Wet clay model
The Valkyrie
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- Category: Sculptures
In Norse mythology, Valkyries decided the fate of warriors in battle, and those that were chosen for death were taken by them to Valhalla where they received a hero's welcome by Odin and other gods like Thor, and served mead. Recent archaeological evidence suggest tales of Valkyries existed well before 700 AD. Their role in ancient mythology was not unlike that of the celestial maidens of Asia or angels in Judeo Christian religion in that their main purpose was to perform the bidding of a supreme heavenly being such as Odin or Jehovah. I based my sculpture on my favorite Valkyrie, Brunhild (or Brünnhilde in Wagner's epic Ring Cycle opera: Die Walkure). In this operatic tale, Brunhild defies her father's (Odin's) order by second guessing his true intent, which angers him even more. But as much as he is angry with Brunhild, he allows her to have some say in choosing her own fate - revealing how much he loved her of all his Valkyrie daughters. This piece is meant to capture the moment that Brunhild descends from the heavens as she is transformed by Odin into a normal woman and about to be laid to sleep surrounded by a ring of fire, ensuring that only the bravest of heroes will be able to pass through it to save and claim her. My thanks again to the Ceramic Art Studio and Shop.
Wet clay model
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