I got inspired by one of many descriptions I’ve read of the Manitou according to the Ojibwe people combined with various Japanese forest creatures. The strange figure rises out of the dead tree stump and remains part of it. It is ready to wander the world. Perhaps looking for those who harm the earth.
The soft pastels adhered oddly to this paper, almost like watercolour paint when I rubbed it. I did use my fingers to blend the colours and went over the image with many layers.
Materials: soft pastels and charcoals on paper.
Dimensions: 9″ x 12″
Overview note on this series of spirit studies: During research on Hopi Kachina dolls I did for a major essay at school, I came face to face with more questions on appropriation than I was prepared to understand. The first challenge was writing with anything resembling respectful expertise on indigenous traditions from around the world and the second was dealing with the images they inspired me to make. I hold no claim to authenticity, nor any in-depth understanding of the significance of these images. In many cases, as is part of my art practice, I allowed myself to transform and recombine inspirations into something new-ish.
See more at Arts MPerron @ www.1-mario-perron.pixels.com
