Navajo Cottonwood Bear Carving - Marvin Jim (#372)
$600.00
Artist: Marvin Jim
Base: 6 3/4" x 6"
Height: 15 1/2"
Marvin Jim is back at it, and his folk art is still both fanciful and meaningful. In this case Marvin reminds us that animals once walked with humans and helped make the fourth world habitable for all life forms. Then man, in his infinite wisdom, said or did something to insult the animals. The creatures discarded their garb and returned to the wild, ignoring the shortsighted arrogant two-legged beings they once embraced. Marvin's sculptures remind us that important and treasured relationships can be destroyed in the briefest of thoughtless moments. Guard and protect your valued alliances, they are worth more than material things.
About the artist:
Marvin Jim - Animal Sculptures:
Based upon the Navajo creation tales, the sculptures of Marvin Jim reflect a time long ago, when animals and humans walked and worked together to create a new world. These traditional stories speak of conversations among all beings, of behaving in a manner of mutual respect and of all beings having an equal position in the community. These legends are an essential part of the Navajo culture. The tales are of universal interaction, compassion and tolerance; the things necessary to live a balanced existence.
Related legends:
Bear
The bear was the next chief to be called. He was given a name but he was not satisfied. He became so angry that First Man used the word "shash" to quiet him. The bear repeated it four times, and he said that it had a strange sound, and when one said it aloud one had and awesome feeling. So he went off well content that "shash" should be his name.