One of the highlights of my Preparatory school days, was a field trip to the King Tutankhamen exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art, in Louisiana, back in 1977. It was so exciting to get to see such historic and artistic treasures in person. I still have a book I bought at the museum's gift shop, which it just occurred to me I should have used as a backdrop for my photograph. LOL! Anyway, I used a Dover book on Egyptian Hieroglyphics that I bought a couple of years ago for my reference library, and it worked just as well.
I cut my tag out of a roll of papyrus I purchased at a fine arts store a couple of years ago. (I knew someday I would find the perfect art project to use it.) I designed and hand carved a block of an eye, which I printed on the tag using black block printing ink. I hand painted the necessary lines to simulate the "Eye of Horus," the Egyptian sky god, using turquoise acrylic paint. According to a little research I did, the eye symbolises protection, royal power, and good health. It was used in Pharaoh's tombs, as well as by sailors and others to ward off evil. As a finishing touch, I distressed the edges of the tag in black and tied strands of muslin stained in Tim Holtz antique linen ink to the top. I embellished the latter with beads which resemble those used by the ancient Egyptians.
I haven't had a chance to write any comments, but I've already noticed some outstanding Egyptian inspired tags by my gifted and talented group of colleagues. You are such an inspiration. Blessings!
Wow -- you went the extra mile! Your tag is very authentic! I had the opportunity to see the Tut exhibit many years ago, too -- it was very memorable!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive! Interesting too! I didn't see the '77 exhibits, but I do remember the hoopla about it.
ReplyDeleteWow a roll of papyrus Arnoldo! Serious product envy happening here :)
ReplyDeleteThe strength and strong graphics of your piece this week is fabulous!
this is WAY cool. what a great memory too. xo
ReplyDeleteGreat tag, love the use of papyrus. Valerie
ReplyDeleteVery striking and quite different! Envy your trip to see the exhibition - something I have always wanted to do. Carolyn xx
ReplyDeleteWOW! How awesome to have seen such special artifacts for real!
ReplyDeleteI love your eye stamp - very cleverly done - and the placing of the tag on the hands of a servant to hold it up, is inspired. :D
This is fantastic, lucky you to have some papyrus.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tag - you're so clever to carve your own printing block, the papyrus is the perfect background and I love the idea of the strips of muslin (definitely going to be pinching that idea!)
ReplyDeleteI too have very vivid memories of a school trip to the Tutankhamen exhibit in the 70's - but mine was at the British Museum I think - we queued for hours but it bowled me over :o)
Great idea Arnoldo, and fancy having a spare roll of papyrus to use! Very efficient of you! It works really well as a striking tag.
ReplyDeleteJane x
You never fail to impress!
ReplyDeleteAs usual an excellent interpretation of the theme. I like the composition and found my eye pulled back and forth between the Eye of Horus and the lovely blue images at the bottom.
ReplyDeleteLove how you used authentic papyrus for this tag, very striking and I love how you have made your own print of the eye. X
ReplyDeleteI always learn something from your posts, Arnoldo! So cool that you used papyrus and even carved your own block to print with! WOW! You really hit a home-run with this one. I realized during this challenge that I missed the Tut exhibit that was recently here in LA! :-(
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