16th May 2016
Stoneware figure from a judgement group with aubergine, green, ochre and straw glazes. Ming dynasty, 16th century AD.
The fear in Sen’s face that first time we saw him was overwhelming. His green face and hands, his sideways look of disdain, the way his rusty mouth and beard add to his overall sickly look, his bulbous teardrop eyes, his nostrils flared in a grimace all tell you loud and clear that you are in trouble; a three year old can see it and so can I at thirty. All you can hope is that your name is not on one of the numerous scrolls he holds under his arm.
His robe may have been an intimidating aubergine, trailing on the floor, long sleeves to his knees. Now, it is a murky brown with a hint of charcoal. He is very popular here – at least ten people have taken a picture of him during the few minutes I’ve sat here – but to some he will serve as their stick, their incentive for encouraging good behaviour. I don’t know who would think of such a thing…
Shiva Nataraja, South India AD1100
‘You funny creatures! Within you is only a small portion of the powers of the eternal energy and still you manage to make such a mess, ha! You do not pause, you do not look, you are like feral children and your own children are lost. They will soon have no home and no existence, none of your qualities and their destruction is only put upon them by you.
‘Behold my influence over the cosmos, my delicate divination, my immense poise and beauty. All these things, and everything else that I am takes time, endless time, patience, desire, sacrifice, love. This is what I must ask of you, all of you. You must protect the world and all it’s creatures and inhabitants with patience, desire, sacrifice and love. It particularly needs your sacrifice.’
16th May 2016 16th May 2016 Stoneware figure from a judgement group with aubergine, green, ochre and straw glazes. Ming dynasty, 16th century AD.