Dreaming The Angel Of Ganesha

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on June 7, 2018 at 8:35pm

Curators Comments:

 

Coming across the striking image Dreaming, The Angel of Ganesha, it took me a moment to perceive the highlighted reflection of the elephant head within the mirrored figures. (The appearance in the ‘negative space’ was affirmed in the earlier comments closer to the time when it was posted.) While the elephant is the most recognized iconographic figure related to the deity, I actually think the slightly restrained and resistant expression and pose of the female subject better embodies the premise as the god who removes obstacles.  The open mouths of the split figures also suggest a violent act- this could arguably be traced back to the origin story of Ganesh, The wing shapes beautifully extend above the figures, and in the outstretched fleshy torsos. The bright white ground bathes the whole image in light, giving the piece a supernatural presence.

Comment by William Scott on January 18, 2010 at 1:31pm

Yes, Ganesha has an elephant's head... and he has the body of a human, not necessarily a baby. If you look at the eyes of the female images as eyes on a face, the central white area becomes very elephant-like... hence the title... what I really like about this is that the elephant appeared quite by accident... little wings and all.

Comment by Leisa Shannon Corbett on January 18, 2010 at 11:43am

Isn't Ganesha the Hindu god with the head of an elephant and the body of a baby?