Dancing Shiva in
Dark and Light
Dark (mounted in a tambourine)
Light (mounted on blue glittered
background)
| Title: |
Dancing Shiva in
Dark and Light |
| Medium: |
Pair of
complementary silhouette paper-cuts in
dark and light patterned papers. Dark:
Mounted inside a tambourine. Light:
Mounted on blue hand-glittered
background. Cut by hand using a scalpel. |
| Dimensions: |
Tambourine
diameter: 10 inches |
| Date: |
October
2009 |
| Comments: |
Inspired by the
Indian tradition of Shiva as the Lord of
the Dance ("Nata-Raja"). As the
Cosmic Dancer, the Lord Shiva beats out
the rhythm of the universe on his drum
and sets in motion the swirling harmonies
of the universe.
The traditional iconography on which this
silhouette is loosely based incorporates
numerous features with symbolic meaning.
Hence, Shiva is portrayed with four arms:
one hand beats out the cosmic rhythm on a
drum; another is raised to placate fear;
a third is cupped around a flame to
represent the fire that destroys and
creates the universe; and the fourth hand
points towards the raised foot in a
gesture that refers to salvation.
Shiva is much associated with the emblem
of the Moon, which he wears in his hair.
The long snaky locks represent the sacred
River Ganges flowing down from the slopes
of the Himalayas. As a deity, Shiva
combines many masculine and feminine
qualities, symbolising the harmony of
completeness.
Original
silhouette DARK (mounted in a tambourine)
sold - in a private collection in Ploen,
Germany. Similar work may be
commissioned. Original silhouette LIGHT
(mounted on hand-glittereded blue
background) sold - in a private
collection in Edinburgh, Scotland. Prints
also available. Please contact me for further
details. |
Detail close-ups:
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