Wednesday 25 September 2013

Egypt

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!

14 comments:

  1. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very impressive! Interesting too! I didn't see the '77 exhibits, but I do remember the hoopla about it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow a roll of papyrus Arnoldo! Serious product envy happening here :)
    The strength and strong graphics of your piece this week is fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  4. this is WAY cool. what a great memory too. xo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great tag, love the use of papyrus. Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very striking and quite different! Envy your trip to see the exhibition - something I have always wanted to do. Carolyn xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW! How awesome to have seen such special artifacts for real!
    I 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

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is fantastic, lucky you to have some papyrus.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful 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!)
    I 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)

    ReplyDelete
  10. 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.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  11. As 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.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love how you used authentic papyrus for this tag, very striking and I love how you have made your own print of the eye. X

    ReplyDelete
  13. I 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! :-(

    ReplyDelete


Great to have you here, thanks for commenting and hope to see you again soon! Please be aware that by linking to us you voluntarily enter your own name and link. To view the privacy policy of Mr Linky, please visit here. http://www.misterlinky.net/blog/