"Mami Wata" life-sized reproduction by Amber Tennyson painted in 2001 ©
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Painting Description
This painting is named Mami Wata it was painted in 1 day [overnight] in 2001.
I have been studying the cultures of Voodou(n), Santeria, Candomble, Yoruba for over 7 years. If you know nothing about these spiritual/cultural practices they are very interesting in detail and have an ancient history in the world. I have been studying the subjects of Anthropology/Geneology/Astronomy from the young age of 9. My father attended the University of Michigan where he also assisted the Professor of Anthropology there; when I was a child he would sometimes take me with him to the labs and of course the museums. I have a deep passion in expressing culture in art to bring awareness and intellect.
Mami Wata is an ancient goddess expressed as the deepest essence of a women in all her beauty. She was characterized as a snake charmer and also a water carrier pictured in a variety of cultural art from African all the way to India. The original painting of Mami Wata which this painting was inspired was of a woman with a similar look who was a snake charmer in a German circus between 1880 and 1887.
VIEW THE ORIGINAL PAINTING AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE "SERPENT PRIESTESS" HERE:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mami_Wata
Nice painting...Me being Puerto Rican and Cuban, I know a little something about the Santeria religion...some of my closest relatives practice it....though I don't agree with the beliefs it is indeed a very intresting faith...I wrote a paper on it when I was in John Jay....Good job on the colors again!
- champdolla 01/13/08, 10:13AM PST