The two selected artworks from chapter one of the Art Matters by Pamela Gordon are figure 1.29, Nkisi n’kondi nail figure, and figure 1.30, Shiva, Lord of the Dance (Gordon, 52). The Artworks chosen are in the form of painting and sculpture and are used to portray vital ideas. The selected artworks are formed using various techniques such as ceramics, molds, carvings, and figurines. Also, these artworks seemed to be generated using technical drawings, architectural drawings, and even blueprints. This paper discusses and analyses Nkisi n’kondi and Shiva as Lord of Dance artworks and provides comparisons of the selected Artwork.
The Artwork of Nkisi n’kondi nail figure shown in figure 1.29 of chapter one is very educative and with various perspectives. The artist used this type of Artwork to represent central African power figures. The artist used the figure’s shape where he displayed the Artwork’s posture and gesture by leaning forward while the hands were placed on the hips. This specific gesture and posture depict an aggressive attitude of an individual who challenges courageously. The Artwork has traces of missing beards to symbolize supremacy survival in the form of nails observed along the Artwork’s chin contour. Additionally, abdominal cavity remnants for medicinal matter initially attracted the art’s defining force. The artist used various metals implanted in the figure’s body structure to illustrate its central role of enforcing vital affairs to its community. The Artwork reflects the consequences of going against the established social code of conduct.
Figure 1.29: Illustrating Nkisi N’kondi Nail Figure Artwork.
The Artwork displayed above is a wooden sculpture created by the Kongo people to portray the personification of power. Themes of community and spiritual aspects relevant to the African culture are depicted in this Artwork. The objective of this theme was achieved by employing various materials to signify human scale, which included form and symmetrical balance. The artwork power figure was created by combining various materials, including wood, ceramic, iron, resin, textile, and pigment. The materials mentioned were used to obtain a rough texture and achieve a heavy appearance. Also, they used these materials skillfully to provide an illusion of power or represent an item that cannot be touched. The appropriate human scale plays a vital role in the revelation of the meaning and importance of the Artwork. Additionally, the Artwork has the symmetrical balance obtained by the artistic use of appropriate materials that generate a sense of order, stability, and formality. The figure’s body position transmits power and gives an impression of the presence of someone nearby. Also, this Artwork’s face signifies a bit of sadness, and the open mouth can be used to demonstrate its engagement in a certain form of communication.
The Artwork is demonstrated with pins, blades, nails and other sharp objects injected into its body. The implantation of these materials signifies various meanings. For instance, peg insertion may refer to settling certain matters in the community, and a deeply injected nail may represent a severe offense such as murder. The artist used staring eyes and imposing posture to denote ensuring no other forces will hinder the fulfillment of its ritual purpose. The Nkisi n’kondi signified defensive power and was employed to protect the community (Gordon, 51). The Artwork creates an impression of a hunting spirit whose role is to enforce laws and treaties, such as sealing vows and eliminating the evil in the community. Furthermore, the Artwork is shown to have medicinal substances and other items inserted into its stomach to empower it and bring in the hunting spirit.
The artworks of Nkisi n’kondi nail figure and Shiva, Lord of Dance have various similarities. Firstly, both Artwork links the physical world to the spiritual world. It is evidenced in the Artwork of Shiva, Lord of Dance through its various spiritual representation, such as its front left hand pointing to his elevated left foot to symbolize a spiritually troubled soul (Gordon, 52). Furthermore, its hair flies to the sides due to his dance’s energy, which implies that believing in Shiva results in his devotees obtaining salvation. Similarly, the Nkisi n’kondi nail figure links the physical world to the spiritual world in the sense that whenever a promise is made, the nail is driven to its body. When the promise or treaty was never honored, the Nkisi n’kondi nail figure would hunt down the wrongdoer and be punished for the misconduct. Secondly, both Nkisi n’kondi nail figure and the Shiva, Lord of Dance artwork create a powerful impression. The powerful impression is demonstrated in the Shiva, Lord of Dance artwork by its influential roles that symbolize being a creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe. Similarly, the powerful nature of the Nkisi n’kondi nail figure artwork is evidenced in its ability to withstand the insertion of sharp objects in its body. Furthermore, having a medicinal substance injected into its stomach signifies the power of protecting the community. Lastly, the artworks have a similar color, as clearly demonstrated in the two images.
The artworks of Nkisi n’kondi nail figure and Shiva, Lord of Dance, differ in some ways. Firstly, Shiva, Lord of Dance artwork, portrays a religious ideology. In contrast, the Nkisi n’kondi nail figure artwork portrays political and social ideology. Shiva, Lord of Dance artwork, reveals religious ideology through the revelation of the Indian catastrophe and creation story. The Artwork represents Hindu religion in its form as a cosmic dancer as it dances away, transforming the imaginary world into power and enlightenment, one form of religious ideology. On the other hand, Nkisi n’kondi nail figure portrays social and political ideologies through its posture of oath-taking, which is used to settle verbal quarrels or lawsuits (Gordon, 51). Additionally, it depicts a form of avenger or act of guardian in the case of commitment of any evil. The social and cultural aspects are illustrated by the Artwork’s way of hunting witches and wrongdoers. Secondly, the two pieces of Artwork portray different postures. For instance, the Shiva, Lord of Dance, portrays the dance and yoga posture with his leg holding the body at the hip level crosswise (Gordon, 52). The posture of the lifted hand shows protection of both conscious and unconscious creation order. On the contrary, the Nkisi n’kondi nail figure shows a different posture and gesture since it is revealed leaning forward with a hand positioned on the hips to symbolize the aggressive attitude of a bold human being.
Figure 1.30: Showing Artwork of Shiva, Lord of The Dance
The Nkisi n’kondi sculpture is enticing and exciting due to its various specific features, meaning, and powerful impression. Also, the Artwork portrays a vital community belief system, a captivating ritual, and the Kongo people’s specific customs. Furthermore, Shiva, Lord of Dance, is a very impressive artwork used to depict various religious themes in the Indian community. I found the art very educative and attractive by possessing good, skillful Artwork displayed in simplified form. Shiva, Lord of Dance artwork, is a brilliant invention that combines Shiva’s roles as creator, destroyer, and preserver, all portrayed in a single image. In my opinion, both artworks represent an outstanding and remarkable work of both artists and are very successful in their Artwork in equal measure. The two brilliant arts make me joyful and lift a good mood. Furthermore, both arts foster a sense of relaxation and inspiration and, more importantly, encourage my creativity. I like both arts since they make me feel happy and very much educative on the various traditional themes displayed.
In conclusion, the various themes that Artwork depicts are personal expressions, fantasy, religious, social, and political ideologies. The artworks of Nkisi n’kondi nail figure and Shiva, Lord of Dance have similarities, such as linking the physical world to the spiritual world and being powerful. Also, some differences portrayed by the two artworks include having different postures and representing different ideologies. Artwork should have unique features, including fantastic color choices, proper perspective, skillful use of light and shadow, and the correct number of details. More significantly, it reveals a strong connection between art and the community’s belief system. Interestingly, Artwork from our traditions could portray various stories with so much richness in detail.
Work Cited
Gordon, Pamela. Art Matters: A Contemporary Approach to Art Appreciation. Oxford University Press, 2020.
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