Sheela-Na-Gig
Sheela-Na-Gig
French Caen limestone (Red St Bees Sandstone base waxed to emphasise colour).
18cm W x 41cm H x 10cm D / Base: 25cm W x 10cm H x 20cm D
Based on an 12th church carving from Chloran, Westmeath, Ireland, now in the British Museum. The original is a strange and disturbing image whose purpose has long been speculated about. It was hacked out of an extremely hard stone using primitive tools - which would have been an extremely arduous task. Clearly the original sculptor wanted to say something and put much effort into this carving. I
wanted to faithfully recreate the eroded and broken form using a smooth stone and modern chisels - so that the original sculptor's intention can be seen clearly. Many people have assumed she is an apotropaic device - put on buildings to scare away evil. Having sculpted her I'm inclined to think her silent scream and gentle hand/vulva gesture is about birth, her skull-like head reminding us death is always close, especially during birth. It's certainly not a warning against the evils of sex, as presumed by later viewers in the past.
'Own Art' Option Available - Contact the gallery for further information.
Dimensions:
.18cm W x 41cm H x 10cm D / Base: 25cm W x 10cm H x 20cm DBased on an 12th church carving from Chloran, Westmeath, Ireland, now in the British Museum. The original is a strange and disturbing image whose purpose has long been speculated about. It was hacked out of an extremely hard stone using primitive tools - which would have been an extremely arduous task. Clearly the original sculptor wanted to say something and put much effort into this carving. Iwanted to faithfully recreate the eroded and broken form using a smooth stone and modern chisels - so that the original sculptor's intention can be seen clearly. Many people have assumed she is an apotropaic device - put on buildings to scare away evil. Having sculpted her I'm inclined to think her silent scream and gentle hand/vulva gesture is about birth, her skull-like head reminding us death is always close, especially during birth. It's certainly not a warning against the evils of sex, as presumed by later viewers in the past.'Own Art' Option Available - Contact the gallery for further information.){kind=link}