September 19, 2007

Paganism

During the last year I have increasingly become fascinated with Russian pre-Christian paganism. I have found no information about it in English at all, but did manage to find a few Russian history books that had some info. So I was very happy to finally get to the Russian Ethnographic Museum in St. Petersburg this summer. Paganism in Russia melded with Christianity in many ways, and even though Christianity eventually suppressed it, there are plenty of hints of paganism in decorative arts. I was very happy to find many examples of it on view.These are wood carvings from village izbas (cottages). I also saw many gorgeous textiles. I am using all this for inspiration in my newest series..... Maybe I'll have a preview in a few days depending how much time my kids allow me for work.

3 comments:

Beate Knappe said...

thank you for stopping by my blog. I have seen your HP - wonderful work

jane dávila said...

I can't wait to see how the "pagan" influence comes out in your work. What gorgeous inspiration.

Ferret said...

I love those woodcuts, I will also be eagerly awaiting the results of this research.