WEARABLE SCULPTURES

Since time immemorial man has tried to influence events for his own advantage. It was felt that magic figures, amulets and other objects d'art could create and preserve his well being, success and security.

One of the oldest testimonies to this philosophy of life goes back to prehistoric times. Numerous small sculptures and figures (mainly of clay), had their origin in those times and were used for ancient rites.

In antique cultures, it was believed that the image provided the owner with the character and power of the person depicted in the image. A talisman was a guarantee of love, happiness, health, power and wealth. The Arabic 'talisman' (the magic image), with its plural 'talasam', was the source of the 'talisman', as it is known to western civilization today.

The effect of the talisman is based on the sense of harmony and attraction on the part of the owner towards the talisman, whilst the image itself, coupled with the inscription, are the keys to its interpretation. It was the fascination that small sculptures and dolls have always exerted on me, together with their magical aura and the positiveness of their meaning, that inspired me to my own creation, which I have called 'Talisman'.

With the ritual-like arrangement of form, gesture, colour and symbols I have consciously drawn on the cult figure and tried to encourage the viewer to give free rein to his individual associations.

Heide Kindelmann