Sarasvati Devi
The Hindu goddess of intellect and the arts, Sarasvati, is the inspiration behind this commissioned project. My Client, an aficionado of Indian classical music, and his wife visit India regularly and return with beautiful paintings, sculptures and handicrafts. As a multicultural family their sensibilities transcend religious and ethnic boundaries. During the design and research process we all talked about the numerous attributes associated with Sarasvati. The ones that seemed the most significant to us are portrayed in this project. A few of those are the color white for purity, her serene posture and expression, her connection to water/river (life source), the swan (discerns between right and wrong and is her vehicle) and the peacock (heralds her message). The objects she holds in her hands represent intellect, spirituality and culture. And, of course, the omnipresence of the divine lotus flower.... across cultures for millennia. This relief carving is mounted within a frame and hung on the wall of their Atlanta home in the US. Originally fitted above the fireplace it is currently in the foyer of the clients’ new residence with two other commissioned work to reflect the cultural theme.
Material: Linden wood, transfer gold leaf, paint, pyrographed design.
Dimensions: ( h x w x d) 48"x 52"x 4"
Year made: 2013
