ArtistSondra Arkin
Zozobra
Date2010
MediumEncaustic on dibond
Dimensions48 × 48 in. (121.9 × 121.9 cm)
Framed Size: 51 1/2 × 51 1/2 in. (130.8 × 130.8 cm)
Credit LineDC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Art Bank Collection
Object numberDCCAH2013.011
ClassificationsPaintings
Locations
- Office of Planning (1100 4th Street SW, 650)
DescriptionArkin moved around a lot when growing up, and for several years in the 1960’s, lived around Santa Fe, New Mexico. The environment and culture and customs were pretty different than the east coast city life she had up until then (and following) but her time in New Mexico informed her way of seeing and thinking. 98% of Arkin’s work is non-representative, not “about” anything, and she even works hard to make it not “look” like anything recognizable. In this body of work though, every piece ended up telling a story. In the Fall, the fiestas took place, which included the burning of Zozobra, Old Man Gloom. There was a lot of pageant around the fiestas, and her childhood brain mixed all of the Native American, Mexican, and Catholic traditions. Arkin has pretty vivid memories of running wild during the dusty days around fiesta and of the 50 foot tall paper puppet that was (and still is) constructed and burned each year.
