Peeing

Nestled in the Water Garden amongst the mist and vegetation is a sculpture by Kiki Smith that is evocative of the artist’s personality and body of work. Cast in bronze and a fountain of sorts, the sculpture depicts a woman crouching—caught in a private moment. Upon discovering Smith’s sculpture the viewer may at first be taken aback by the nature of the moment—some will find the work humorous whereas others will call it scandalous. Whatever the viewer’s reaction to Smith’s sculpture, the work of art is in keeping with the artist’s mysterious sense of humor and artistic nuance. To quote Chuck Close, Smith’s “work is the epitome of innovation, invention, and unique personal vision,” and furthermore “always diverse…by turns magical, quirky, sexy, humorous, poignant, scatological and mesmerizing.” – Chuck Close.

source

Amulet with Demeter, Harpokrates/Triptolemos, and Persephone (Egypt)

Roman, Imperial Period, 3rd century A.D.

At the left stands Demeter, goddess of grain, as shown in Egypt, with a tall torch and a veiled head surmounted by a grain basket. At the right is her daughter Persephone, queen of the Underworld, holding a scepter and with two ears of grain emerging from her head. Between them is an adolescent wearing the cloak of Greek travelers and soldiers (chlamys) and the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. The crown marks the youth as the Egyptian god Harpokrates, son of Isis and Osiris/Serapis. The cloak, however, identifies the youth with the Greek hero Triptolemos, who was sent by Demeter to teach agriculture to the world.

Loops attached to the back indicate that it was worn around the neck suspended on a chain. It is worked in repousse technique.

source