Madonna 2
Künstler/in
Nabila Irshaid
(geb. 1964 in Osnabrück, Niedersachsen)
Date1999
ClassificationsObjekt
Mediumgefilzte Schafwolle
Dimensions19 x 15 x 9 cm
Credit LineArtothek des Bundes
Object number25675
DescriptionMadonna I and II 1998/1999 Felt formed into finger-like shapes put together into a lush hump of breasts. Madonna I is made from dark brown carded wool and fixed to a cast iron figure from an old door handle, made around 1918. The color of the door handle and the wool are matching. Madonna II is made from different fair skin colored wool, some of the breasts protude milk, formed with milk colored wool. This hump is free of figurative addition. These works made around 1998-1999 were part of my work for my diploma at HfBK Hamburg. I was fascinated by the possibilities to form wool in to felt. To change the status from fluffy to solid but still soft and weightless. The process of making these sculptures doesn't require a studio. The ingredients wool, soap and warm water are easily available and affordable. Accordingly, to choose wool as a material to work with was perfect. Lambs wool could also have been used by huwomen at that time and has a female and natural touch. At that time I discovered the fact that womenkind have lived in matriarchial social systems for a long time. Since then, this means a personal relief for me that forms and other expressions for goddesses and matriachial life were found and that they were integrated in everyday life. Specially the work of Marija Gimbutas, the Lithuanian archaelogist and anthropologist, was and is a revelation to me. Until now I am still exploring further evidence and looking for forms because I feel highly inspired by the Neolithic culture.
The name Madonna in this context is used in an ironic way to build a bridge within the evolution of what and how we worship through the times. Which values do our contemporary gods and belief systems convey? With my work I want to reflect and integrate women's spiritual needs in daily life.
Text: Nabila Irshaid
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