Artist: Naznin Virji-Babul (NV-B)
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Title and Medium
“Kashf” (July 2008), Alabaster*, 22 x 24 x 10 cm
“Touched by the Essence” (Feb 2009), Clay

Kashf (Unveiling)

I began with a solid formless chunk of alabaster and gradually began the process of unveiling the beauty and essence of the form underneath – this process of painstaking chiseling and polishing to gradually reveal the essence, mirrors the journey towards the Nur.

 

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2. Touched by the Essence

I have been drawn to the figures and images of ancient Egyptian sculptures from my last visit to Cairo.  I was particularly inspired by a small wood sculpture of the head of a boy pharaoh emerging from a lotus flower.  For the ancient Egyptians the emerging lotus is symbolic of the sun that is regenerated every morning following its journey to the underworld.  This piece with is striking contrast of rust and blue captivated my imagination.  I have tried to infuse both the colours and the symbolism of the sun’s journey in the expression of the boy in my sculpture whose face is lifted up to greet and touch the essence.

 

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Note: Please click image to enlarge

Please also see:
Naznin Virji-Babul: Artist Profile and Statement
Naznin Virji-Babul: Woman Making Roti and Struggle 
Naznin Virji-Babul: Sept 11 

* About Alabaster: ALABASTER  has a singular quality about it. To the sculptor there is a “feel” to it which is unique of all other stones. It says, “elegance” to the carving. The carving process is arduous and the dust is instantly gritty, not powdery like soapstone or grainy as with some marbles. When the sculpture is completed one can see not only the rendering of the artist, but the elegant beauty of the stone. If you were to snap the sculpture with the back of your finger nail it would ring.