MARYON ATTWOOD - ceramic artist
Attwood planned and trained to be a painter but now finds herself to be primarily a sculptor, making all kinds of forms with a variety of materials and integrating color and texture as each sculpture takes shape.
Most recently she has been making historical and myth-inspired busts that are fired multiple times to achieve the layering of color used in traditional painting techniques. As a granddaughter of Glasgow, inspired by human history, the legends from the highlands, and rich Celtic culture she is unearthing messages from the past and re-interpreting them to a contemporary audience.
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13”h x 12”w x 7.5”d
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Maryon Attwood comments:
“This sculpture is inspired by my interest in the people and times of the early Christian church. Mary and the 12 sparrows depict a moment where a young Mary has a vision of a future miracle that her son Jesus would someday perform.
Three sparrows are held in Mary’s hands. One has a crown representing a son yet to be born. The other 9 sparrows are seen in Mary’s veil at the back of the figure. The cross on her face indicates Mary as one of the founders of the early Christian church.
Mary is shown as a young woman was a citizen of Roman-occupied Galilee who survived one of the most dangerous periods of Jewish history when revolt, crucifixions and destruction were taking place. Mary was ‘doubly royal’ – she was from Davidic lineage and a priestly lineage.
The story of Jesus and the 12 sparrows comes from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, an apocryphal text, not the canonical Bible. As a five-year-old, Jesus molds 12 clay birds on the Sabbath. When scolded for violating the Sabbath, he claps his hands, turning the clay birds into living creatures that fly away.
This story is found in the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, a 2nd-century text detailing the childhood of Jesus. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas depicts a young Jesus in full possession of divine power who is already dispensing wisdom with authority, even at an early age.”
9”h x 6”w x 4.5”d
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Maryon Attwood comments:
“This sculpture is a woman warrior from another realm, part human and part non-human. She is a powerful force that protects the Spirit of Good in our world. It’s an image I have held for many years before it manifested in this small piece. In this sculpture I am remembering --reaching back to a history that is just beyond memory to a time lost to us.”
11.5”h x 9.5”w x 6.5”d
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Maryon Attwood comments:
“Joan was a young rural mystic who led the French Army against the English, was captured and burned at the stake by the English and was eventually made a saint. My sculpture attempts to capture a moment of success and defeat while in her white amour provided by the King of France. A red birth mark hides behind her right ear.”
12.5”h x 10”w x 5.5”d
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Maryon Attwood comments:
“My sculptural warriors have a peaceful side often represented by birds juxtaposed next to a reluctant warrior ready for battle.
I am drawing from the memory of my ancient Celtic ancestors to a lost time still lingering in the mists of the Scottish highlands.
The white face and hair depict lime which was often used on the face, hair, and body prior to battle. The yellow torc around the neck may have had a spiritual significance, may have protected the wearer and been an indication of the wearer’s status - gold ones must surely have been a symbol of wealth.“