In the Aztec religion Xolotl was a powerful and fearsome figure, the twin to Quetzalcoatl and Lord of the West who guarded the Sun as it journeyed through the night. My XOLOTL, while inspired by the Aztec deity, cannot be described as “fearsome”, unless, of course, you happen to be terrified of garden gnomes. Hand built of paper clay, glazed and fired to Cone 6. 8 ½” x 5” x 4”.
From the earliest days until the present, in myth, legend and story, the hooded figure has been seen as a figure of mystery, a concealed identity and thus a source of apprehension. Only when the hood is thrown back and the identity revealed does apprehension turn to fear – or relief. Throughout the summer I’m going to be exploring the hooded figure in a number of different contexts, using individual and groupings as well as a variety of different materials and surface treatments. WATCHER OF THE NIGHT is hand built and raku fired paper clay. 7” x 2 ½” x 3”.
John Fansmith 