Carol Eckert coiling art – fiber sculptures of animals that are mythology symbols: snakes as symbols of evil, storks or cranes as signs of good fortune. Animal symbolism appeals to her, through the coiled fiber process she creates stories, legends of great floods, tales of quests and journeys, parables of good and evil. “Mythology and art have been intertwined for as long as there have been humans on earth, and my work often makes references to art history”, says Carol Eckert.
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Pure Soul of Russian lubok
Often found in the spiritual literature of XVII-XVIII centuries, the plot of “Pure Soul” goes back to the “Parable of the soul of the righteous”. In the parable of the Immaculate Virgin (on this subject even painted icons) – a symbol of purity and righteousness. “Decorated” with all the virtues,” she stands above the sun and the moon under Her feet.” Dragon, sun, moon, stars, eagle wings behind the back – everything sends the viewer right to Revelation (“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars … And the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place on the face of the serpent, and where she is nourished for a time, times and half a time “(Rev., XII).
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Katsushika Hokusai code naturally meets the main principle of the Far Eastern philosophy: all things are born from the interaction of two opposing forces of cosmic order yin and yang. Yang – masculine, active, bright start; Yin – feminine, passive, dark. The Great Wave off Kanagawa depicts the moment of complete triumph of the feminine, a prisoner in a giant wave, ready to absorb the boat of fishermen. But in the view of the Japanese, none of the forces can fully take precedence over the other, and at exact moment when the victory of one of them seems to be imminent, the pendulum begins to move in the opposite direction. So that efforts of the rowers are not in vain. Victory as a pledge of defeat.
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Straw art by Irina Porosova
For many of us, straw seems quite unnecessary material and even rubbish. Meanwhile, people anciently used this ‘garbage’ for household purposes. In particular, with straw they covered the roof, added to the clay and built houses. Also, fed cattle in winter, filled pillows and mattresses. And, most importantly, created stunningly interesting things, and even pieces of art. For example, the same as Russian artist of applied art Irina Porosova, working in her art shop called Fairy-tale. Self-taught artist, she creates fabulous paintings of usual straw. According to her, straw has become her real long-time passion. Parosova lives in the city of Syzran of Samara region.
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Italian artist Floriano Buccigrossi
Born in Palo del Colle on 14 December 1970, Buccigrossi is a self-taught naturalist painter. From an early age he was a true nature lover. He was especially fascinated by animals. When he was 8, his parents gave him “book of animals and plants in their natural environment”. It was his first book. He recalls that he loved watching nature documentaries, in particular “the world of Quark”, and David Attenborough’s “the living planet”. When he had a chance he tried not to miss any TV documentary about nature, plants and animals and collected photographs from any magazine or newspaper that he could get.
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Still life with Poppies by Natalie Panga
The great events of life often leave one unmoved; they pass out of consciousness, and, when one thinks of them, become unreal. Even the scarlet flowers of passion seem to grow in the same meadow as the poppies of oblivion. Oscar Wilde
Natalie Panga is a talented self-taught photographer from the city of Rivna, Ukraine. Doctor therapist by education and profession, she appreciates and understands the value of life, capturing its beautiful moments. The wonderful artist as if transmits her beautiful inner world into photography. The main subject of her inspirational work – classic still life. Among variety of photo albums I offer to look at the series ‘Still life with Poppies’.
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Fan Ho inspirational photography
Chinese photographer, film director and actor, Fan Ho is one of the most famous Chinese in the world. The pride and treasure of the nation, he has many titles and more than 280 awards. Widely collected and exhibited in Europe and Asia, his art decorates numerous private collections. Born into a family of film director, in Shanghai in 1932, his family later moved to Hong Kong. While still a boy, Fan Ho received Rolleiflex as a gift from his father, and that was the first camera, with which he made his first shots. Meanwhile, in the 1950s and 60s Fan Ho was actively experimenting in photography. In addition, since 1956 he began shooting in films. To date, he has acted in 15 films and directed 11 films.
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