Carolyn Kramer
Westlake Village, CA
Inspired by old growth forests, desert landscapes and west coast beaches, my desire is to share a visually healing meditation on environmental beauty.
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This series speaks to antiquity, archeology and the modern woman. These are metaphors for the female body. My work explores ancient vessels and their myths, juxtaposed to present day female imagery. Urn shapes are referenced from pottery of Minoan and Mycenaean Greek civilizations. I revisit early pottery images and convert these forms into modern day statements.
My images of urns and vessels transform into metaphors for the female figure. The female vessel themes are manipulated through various mediums and are “playfully” adjusted to “tell a story.”
Torsos, hands and feet sometimes spring out of vessels, creating half woman-half vessel. They express humorous or whimsical elements. Feminine in form, they may display body adornments, such as jewelry and tattoos.
The mono-print “Mehndi” shows a woman on her wedding day displaying her exquisite henna designs. The ancient ritual of hand printing henna, or Mehndi on a bride’s hands, precedes an East Indian marriage ceremony. It is the oldest form of body art prior, to the Vedic Age and represents the holy bond of matrimony. This considered a “shagun” or sign of good luck. Todays’, East Indian brides, often celebrate the ritual with a women’s celebration the day before the wedding. A henna artist paints the bride’s hands and feet with liquid dark red henna. It takes many hours to create the intricate designs. As the henna dries, flakes eventually drop off to white sheets spread on the floor; her guests arrive and the henna artist continues to paint exquisite designs on the hands of invited ladies. As this takes the hours to complete, celebrations continues with food and song .
- Framed: 35 x 25 x 2 in (88.9 x 63.5 x 5.08 cm)
- Subject Matter: Conceptual - FIgurative
- Collections: Women As Vessels
Other Work From Carolyn Kramer
