Artist Statement
Totemism: Ancient Beliefs
The ideological and genealogical relationships of human beings with animals and natural objects are referred to as "totems" in many indigenous cultures.
The "Man and Nature" connection that totems represent creates a reverence and respect of the earth. It is acknowledged that many humans have had a kinship or a mystical relationship with a spirit being. Undeniably, the urge to label various plants and animals, objects and forces of nature as totemic is still a common belief among a number of clans worldwide today.
Through the process of clay mono-printing, I found a unique way to express my interpretation of the past. The nature of the clay lends itself to capturing and exposing the previous layers of work. New layers emerge as each clay print is pulled: revealing elements from a previous wave of creation, just as every culture leaves history to be revealed over time.The use of clay has been used by man to create figurines, statues, and drawings representing their gods and deities since the earliest times. I now use clay in a contemporary form, using line, shape, color and calligraphic markings to recreate those totem spirits. My intention is to reconnect people to the powerful forces of nature that have affected and influenced our forefathers for milleniums