"ana.suromai" In ancient history and NOW, Vagina as an Evil Averting | Fertility Enhancing Symbol

ana.suromai

copyright,   j. Madison Rink

2019

 97 Women Artists:  21st Century Agents of Change 

 "Altered (H.W. Janson's History of Art) Book" 

Curated by Sue J. Norton's Poplin 

                                                                   

                                                             

ICONOGRAPHIC CHANGE: SACRED AND PUBLIC ART

ã j.  Madison Rink

Archival Triptych Print

Iconographic Change

ana.suromai

History is written by survivors......

There is a centuries long, perhaps even hidden history covering some twenty thousand years, dating as far back as the Upper Palaeolithic art scene when the image of the Vagina was iconic, honored and revered as Sacred and Public Art. It was a powerful, socially significant, fertility enhancing, evil averting symbol and art, most of which was forcefully destroyed by the Christians during the 17th century.

The environmentally sculpted by Mother Nature triptych and image of the Vagina above is entitled "at One." The concept of being One with Nature and therefore One with All is a consciously integrated theme in my body of art entitled “Primitive Nature.” This triptych symbolizes all women "At One" at this time in our history. I am now increasingly hopeful and greatly inspired by the ever increasing and united numbers of women's voices, supported by more men than ever, speaking up about the world wide and serious and devastating epidemic of violence and sexual assault against women and young girls. I have come to believe, since beginning to exhibit this particular image that a critical aspect of this chronic epidemic which surely contributes to the root of this escalating crisis is the way in which most people, including many women view the image of the Vagina. To many it is considered a taboo and more often than not reduced in perception to little more than blatant pornography. Why? We must reject this view that is shrouded in the misrepresentation that the vagina is a “vile, dirty and repugnant, even evil” image. Instead, we surely must re-claim the centuries long symbolic history and embrace the image of the vagina when it was greatly honored and revered as a sacred, healing, artful symbol; a representation of elegant beauty, balance, harmony and fertility from which all human life is birthed. 

As a very young child who endured devastating sexual assault, the recognition and mirroring of this environmentally sculpted and natural human likeness in nature was a profoundly enlightening and healing experience for me.  In the very moment I first viewed this image, I was reminded of a mysteriously deep, circular in nature physical, scientific and spiritual ancient understanding which underscores the ancient concept that we are all one with Nature and as such we are One with ALL.  With this kind of healing clarity, I was inspired to create a multicultural representation of the same rock subject, utilizing different lighting, in order that all women could see themselves reflected in nature in this elegantly beautiful, sacred and healing way.  

History of this work and other primal images, including Artist Statement:

YALE, Beinecke Library, Women in Photography International Archives
http://womeninphotography.org/Events-Exhibits/YALE-WIPI-ARCHIVE/jMadisonRINK/submission.html

2015- 2018  Additional Archives:   the Smithsonian, New York,,  Women's Museum, Wash D.C., the GETTY Museum, Los Angeles,  The Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Radcliffe for Advanced Study, Harvard University,  International Center of Photography, (ICP)  New York City,   University of Arizona Center of Creative Photography, Tucson.  

Must Read:  Story of the V:  Opening Pandora's Box, by Catherine Blackledge (U.K.)  

BEYOND BOUNDARIES: Nature's Ancient Art

An Exhibit of found Nature's Ancient Art works:    
Through month of December, 2017

 Night Sky Gallery
826 Canyon Road
Santa Fe, New Mexico 

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Email:  info@Rinkarte.com

sangre de cristo, spirits rest

 Copyright,   j. Madison Rink

Yale University, Beinecke Library, Women in Photography International Archives

In 2015 I felt honored to be included in the Women in Photography International Archives at Yale University in the Beinecke Library.  (Links below)

In 2016  A historical documentation of the photographic & biographical materials of the j. Madison Rink "Primitive Nature" collection were also included in the archives at the Smithsonian, New York,  Women's Museum, Wash D.C., the GETTY Museum, Los Angeles, Harvard University, MA,  International Center of Photography, New York City, The Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America at Radcliffe for Advanced Study,  University of Arizona Center of Creative Photography, Tuscon.


Yale University, Beinecke Library Archive 

Women in Photography International, WIPI was founded in 1981 to promote the visibility of women in photography.  

Art & Voices for Bio Diversity

 

Copyright,   j. Madison Rink

Higher Purpose

Connecting to the Earth

http://voicesforbiodiversity.org/galleries/photos/outsider-nature-art-photography
An Article on the Origins of this work

UNM, HOWL Publication

I am excited and feel honored that a representation of my "Outsider Nature Art Photography" was recently chosen for inclusion in the University of New Mexico publication of HOWL, Spring, 2013.  "The Literary Journal of the Arts, UNM-Taos."   'the shaman'  on cover

GO SEE images of these extraordinary, naturally sculpted embodied spirits. Link below

National Geographic, Four Corners Region
http://www.fourcornersgeotourism.com/content/j-madison-rink-art-geology/fca5A39DB30F9F1EBFF0

Sipapu Royal Guard

Taos, New Mexico

Humpty Dumpty
in Taos
Only one of a growing number of new photographs from the Taos, New Mexico collection.

UNESCO PUBLICATION

UNESCO, the educational subsidiary of UNITED NATIONS
I was deeply honored to be interviewed and have several of my signature “earth art” photographs chosen by the UNESCO editors and author for inclusion in the 2009 UNESCO publication, “Geotourism & Local Development” in a chapter entitled “Geology and Art, an Unorthodox Perspective.” In particular, I was profoundly gratified that two of the signature photographic images chosen for this UNESCO publication were the naturally sculpted, powerful and healing image of the “Vagina” from my “Erotic Nature,” collection as well as the stirring image of “The Shaman,” from my “Primitive Nature” collection.

Additional 2009 Publication: In light of the author’s geo-artistic interests and desire to engage people with the earth in new and compelling ways, UNESCO paleontologist Andrea Baucon, Geopark Naturtejo Meseta Meridional, Portugal traces a compelling history of Geology in Art beginning with the works of Leonardo daVinci. As well, I am deeply grateful to have also been interviewed and included in an equally important and pioneering publication entitled “Geology in Art; An Unorthodox Path from Visual Arts to Music.” Link to this publication (top-right). I hope you enjoy – it is a pioneering work that is well worth reading.

Vasquez Rocks

Shadowy

On Guard

@ Vasquez Rocks
California

Tribal Warrior

Rising Desert Face

“Untitled, I see…

Mother Nature
at my door
how lovely her hair

this day

In the Beginning

In the Beginning, this was the first image I found that day I had set out on a hunt with my camera to see if I could capture the essence of the antique tribal and Asian art created by the indigenous peoples of the world. It was my desire to draw on the highly symbolic and diverse canvas of stone; to find rock formations sculpted by our own Mother Nature using geologic and atmospheric conditions as her mediums. As well, I felt inspired, even called upon by the native spirits of the land to create this unusual and unique perception of nature. It was this particular iconic image of the vagina which chooses to draw on a mostly unknown, yet rich and significant ancient art history when it was revered, considered sacred and public art. A history I will further elaborate on in later blogs. This image gave birth to all of my forthcoming unique and original “earth art” photographic collections including a “Primitive Nature” an “Erotic Nature” and a “Colours of Nature,” collection. In retrospect I have realized that many of these images are self-portraits, many reflecting an internal emotional process; even outcomes of a personal healing as seen in the image of “The Shaman.” On that day, seeing myself reflected in nature in this way was a circular in nature kind of spiritual experience which underscored an ancient and profound idea; that we are One with Nature and Nature is One with Us. The beauty of this image along with the idea of all being one with nature touched me deeply। In an effort so that all women might see themselves reflected in nature in this lovely, healing way, I went on to create a cross cultural triage, using the same rock subject but with a different lighting। I was then able to set out with a certain confidence and compelling curiosity to find an all inclusive representation of “erotic” images and the hauntingly stunning, naturally sculpted “primitive” images found in nature। Chosen as a “key example” in UNESCO publication. Article, “Geology and Art; an unorthodox perspective” by Andrea Baucon

An Exhibit
Honoring 87 years of Women’s right to vote
at
Ruth Bachofner Gallery
Bergamot Station Arts Center
Santa Monica, CA
April 14 – May 26, 2007

amidst bloody battle
a birth

Iseebirth

© j.

Halloween

Yesterday
I claimed myself

Today
I create space
for tomorrow

© j. Madison Rink

existential sleep

a “mother nature” sculpture

Award

2011 Honorable Mention

30th Anniversary Women in Photography International

…light
shines
bright
in
the
darkest
of
night…

Head Bomb
Iraq News Headlines
12-10 to 12-15, 2007

Conceptual photograph by j. Madison Rink
Mosaic by Elizabeth Hartman

Hand to Hand: Witnessing the War
Exhibit

  

untitled
…but hauntingly familiar…

The Shaman
Awards
“On the Edge” 2006 Jurist, Stephen Perloff Editor, Photo Review

Center for Fine Art Photography
DIA Invitational, 2006 Jurist, Tim Anderson

Editor, Camera Arts Magazine

Chosen as a “key example” in UNESCO publication. Article, “Geology and Art; an unorthodox perspective” by Andrea Baucon

Katrina

“Astro Culture Squeeze”
Brad Pitt, “Make it Right” Foundation

…elements…

…deux…

Le Cliss

mother

mandaladay

…zzin…

i know
i can
i AM

…safe, in this moment, now….

Nature’s Prayer

“Honorable Mention”
Turning Silver, WIPI 25th Anniversary

Between Worlds

“A convergence of religious and cultural symbology.”

“Transitoriness”

…mouth watering seems natural…..

Yin Yang

Headdress

…elegant beauty…

Tribal Art in Architecture

collection

…work…