Maria Nepomuceno’s mixed media sculpture with ancient symbolism twists – Huge
The ubiquitous spiral continues to fascinate in thousands of years of artistic expression and the natural world. In ancient traditions, this form usually represents cycles. For example, Triskele is formed by three interlocking spirals that are believed to symbolize death, life and rebirth or mind, body and spirit. Spirals also naturally appear in shells and plants, sometimes related to the concept of gold meaning, also known as the “god ratio”.
For Maria Nepomuceno, the occurrence of spirals in nature (and their spiritual meanings are related to time and energy in permanent flow) in a vibrant multimedia practice. Her upcoming exhibition, CunhóOpening next month at Sikkema Malloy Jenkins, highlighting the richness. The portrait cited female anatomy, jars, ceramic containers, baskets and shells (the latter symbols of fertility and wealth) emphasizes the interaction and growth of prosperity.
A fictional word, CunhÓ taken from the title given to her by a mother nicknamed Nepomuceno. The artist uses traditional Brazilian craftsmanship to create undulating forms hanging on the walls or hanging on the moments of vertical surfaces. Her sculptures are both soft, strong, meandering and structured. From a distance, they can be read alternately, such as enlarged, amorphous, biological cells or the huge “macro landscape” described by galleries.
Beaded and weave tropical flowers that form pearl bottle gourds or evoke stamens. For example, in “abraçaço”, which means “hug” or “hug” in Portuguese, a faceless female image with a snake-shaped tongue surrounds a large white shell and other amorphous shapes with long arms. Other works, such as “Mar Amor”, evoke Ouroboros, which is usually made up of ancient symbols of snakes or dragons, representing cycles of self-creation, interconnection and eternality.
Nepomuceno fuses ceramics, wood, beads, straw, ropes and other found materials, fusing organic and inorganic materials in deformed fragments, representing a continuous cycle of reproduction, nutrition, enrichment and care.
Cunhó From September 2 to October 11 in New York City. Explore more about artists on Instagram.
