In India, but also among Buddhists, a statue or a sacred image (murti) before being venerated is consecrated: the consecration of a statue is intended to give it life: it is no longer just a form representing a divinity but it becomes its channel of expression, it is animated by its presence, its strength.
Images and statuesin all religions have been of paramount importance everywhere and at all times: they have been used since the appearance of a spiritual tradition in conjunction with the use of speech, songs, dances and ceremonies.
The Gupta dynasty, considered as an artistic apogee (in architecture, temples, statues...), is marked by a rather classical style close to ancient Greece and Rome: the characters (or animals) must be as realistic as possible...
Even today, the Dokras live close to or in the heart of the forests and live in harmony with nature, using its resources without overexploiting or destroying them.
All the steps in the making of an Indian wax statue from the workshop and preparation of the materials through multiple stages to the finishing touches. Portfolio all in pictures.
Once the wax work is finished, it is again covered with a clay mixture, based on river sand. Once the drying process is complete, a new layer is applied...
The first step in making brass statues among the Dokras in India begins with the collection of clay: it is one of the essential components of the manufacturing process.
The tribes, practicing the art of Dokra, originated from the Bastar region of South India (today located in the state of Chattisgarh), emigrated several centuries ago and settled all over India, from North to South.
The aim of this blog is to make you discover Indian statuary art, but I would also like to put this art in its context: today's India, the daily life of Indians. It is above all a sacred art but not only...
The representation of Buddha is human and static. In Hinduism, dynamism prevails: Shiva or Ganesh dancing, Kali dancing on Shiva's body, Durga slaying the buffalo demon ...
Mathura (located south of Delhi) was a major production site for many centuries as was Gandhara (located in the Peshawar region, present-day Afghanistan - use of black shale).
As in many ancient civilizations, art in India is closely linked to religion, artistic representations are used as supports for religious practice: temples, statues...