?
Like life, walking through a labyrinth or maze can lead to the unexpected at any given turn. My description of this symbolism is far from original. The labyrinth symbol referred to as an allegory for the unpredictable or surprising events in the journey through life, is long established. To walk a labyrinth is often (historically) associated with a journey toward a goal, whether literally or metaphorically. The spirituality of the symbolism lends itself to much of my art. I’ll further describe the classical labyrinth symbol (unchanged for thousands of years) and its influence on my art in another post.
Today however, my submission to the 100-art-dolls challenge is a figure that is wandering through a labyrinth. He’s made entirely from papier mache and coated with a few layers of opaque acrylic. The final result is a sturdy and very hardy sculpture that stands at approximately 32 centimeters tall. I thought that he looked a little lost and vulnerable. He’s looking upward as if the environment at eye-level is not providing him with any clues of how to proceed. My reflection of personal decisions from my past (good, not so good, or decisions that were the best at the time) prompted me to create this piece and facetiously entitled him with an apt symbol: ?. I’m unsure at this stage if ? is a religious figure, a child, an adult, someone who is lost or is searching, or being lead by something or someone. I have attached an eye to ?’s right hand as a metaphor for protection and to help facilitate clarity (please refer to a previous post regarding Hamsa symbolism).
I wish ? all the very best in his continuing journey, similarly to everybody venturing through their own labyrinth.
(This post relates to “?” 2008, Arrigo Dorissa art doll #3, February 2008)
.
.
.
.
.
.
It looks like a little boy who is lost. Old enough to walk but not old enough to necessarily know where or what situation he is walking into. You have captured a pose to suggest this very well. Thank goodness he is holding a protective eye-symbol. I look forward to seeing and reading more the sculptures and art on this web page. Hilda von Trapp.
Hilda’s comment about how “?” looks like a lost little boy prompted another image in my mind - the image of “The Fool” in a Tarot Deck. The Fool is setting off on an unknown journey, with no real plan or forethought.
The labyrinth is a great metaphor, too! Didn’t Ariadne give the hero a thread so he could find his way out of the layrinth? The eye is kind of like that thread.
Plenty to think about here!
Yes Stacey, you’re quite right. According to Greek mythology, Theseus was the recipient of Ariadne’s ball of string (and a sword) to kill the Minotaur within the Labyrinth. Several children were inside the labyrinth waiting to be devoured by the Minotaur. At least this part of the myth has a happy ending. Theseus was successful and the children were rescued. In typical mythological style, the story continued to include instances of abandonment, betrayal and suicide. Personally, I prefer more “palatable” stories about heroes and beasts like, Princess Pricilla by that great Australian children’s author….oh wait…that ‘s you!