Fiona and I have been able to get into the studios again today - great feeling. So I have been able to finish the portable personal shrine (PPS) I started on Friday.
In the main it needed polishing; collecting and adding the bits that could be stored in the base section; and organising the binding material to keep it together if one took it travelling.
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| Barry Smith © PPS - unpacked ready for use |
As you can see from the photo above I have made this shrine a portable personal peace shrine - with help from Fiona. The shrine's storage section holds many pieces:
Fiona 'donated' a piece of a burnt and encaustic page with the word "wonder" left behind; she also made a small scroll with the quote
"peace is every step" on it; she bound a few of her sticks of incense with fine twine; she 'donated' some sari silk cord; I added an F she had written on a stone for me; a piece of EPNS I stamped with the word peace was added; a small candle holder was cut down to fit the storage space (it can be used for a candle or incense); and a natural clear quartz crystal has been included.
As you can see from the photos below the shrine can unpacked and set up when one has arrived at a place of contemplation-meditation; and then repacked when one is moving on in one's travels.
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| Barry Smith © PPS - sari silk plaited cord threaded through the storage section |
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| Barry Smith © The wonder of silk and Fiona's word and work |
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| Barry Smith © PPS - looking at the spread of contents of the shrine |
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| Barry Smith © Packing up the PPS |
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| Barry Smith © Raw silk 'wool' to hold the pieces in place during transit. |
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| Barry Smith © PPS - packed and bound |
Whilst I have made this portable personal shrine with a focus on peace - the owner of such a shrine could personalise their shrine by adding in the things that are important and sacred to them. As you can see from the unpacked and packed photos you can fit quite a number of objects and pieces in a small space (about 6X8cm) - and there was even a bit of room to spare. The stand is packed flat on the bottom of the storage area.
Given the contributions Fiona made to this test shrine I have gifted this first shrine to her - imperfections and all - though I think the slightly imperfect look suggests history and use.
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| Barry Smith © PPS - a sacred object? |
Time permitting, I will create a series of these personal portable shrines for sale as I think they can bring positive energy and opportunities into the lives of owners of such pieces. All would be unique of course as the recycled materials available will often contribute to the form the PPS takes.
What a beautifully little treasure barry,so special.
ReplyDeleteBreathtaking, Barry! It is absolutely wonderful! I love the whole idea and the possibilities of filling it with personal objects to further the intention. Sigh... just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely Barry, I would like one but it may cause a divorce and after 53 years we cant have that!
ReplyDeleteWe will be in Qld at the end of June to about 10th or so of July, hoping I may get to actually see you (and bring some lids!)
M. S.R & P - thanks for the very positive feedback. M-it does look a bit like something old to be treasured. S/R - you were one of the inspirational folk who finally edged me on - and your talisman with the hidden scroll was such and added inspiration - so I'm glad you like the final result and get the idea of personalising the shrine. P - couldn't have a shrine being the cause of a breakup - love to see you when you are up our way. B
ReplyDeleteA truly stunning piece, Barry, just love it. I started thinking about my "portable shrine" which is basically a medicine bag. (medicine used in the Native American way - all animals, objects, plants, minerals holding their particular energies) Anyway, how wonderful your shrine would be to take traveling, it would truly transform a sterile hotel room. Fiona's additions are beautiful, what a lovely gift for her.
ReplyDeletei am vibrating - a combination of excitement and intensity i think... this is so profound a piece... i am so honored to know you and to have seen it... the first one is always special - you know that - it is the beginning of journeys... truly, this is remarkable... and you resonate throughout it all... wonderful contributions from fiona...
ReplyDeleteBarry....this is beautiful!! What a lovely piece, so full of possibility. Can't wait to see where this PPS series takes you! Fiona is a lucky gal....beautiful melding of both of you in this piece! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteFiona's latest posting about her lovely thread-wrapped pebbles brought me over to see your PPS. So many exquisite details & elements you've used in its creation...what a beautifully executed concept...
ReplyDelete- Lisa
The finished shrine is so great! How nice that you gifted the first to Fiona....
ReplyDeletei think you've got a nifty idea here. great!
ReplyDeleteexquisite...it is truly a treasure
ReplyDeleteIntricate, fascinating, beautiful.... I could add many words to describe this gem. Lucky Fiona.
ReplyDelete~barry...i think you have embarked on a deeply gratifying journey while creating this shrine...
ReplyDeleteseeing each individual piece of you and your loves talents being blended together...uniting as one...resurrecting the old into anew...forging and melding your hearts and mind into a beautiful piece is the most gorgeous part of it all...fiona is blessed to be gifted with such a piece...one i know she will savor always...be well and yes...i do hope time finds you to be able to create more...be well and much love light and blessings be with you and yours always~
Very creative - I'm drawn to the word paper also that Fiona did...or lack of words very nice. Such a fun and peaceful new path you are walking. Always fun to work on something different and new. Lovin' it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, just beautiful Barry. I love the whole concept!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a personal portable peace shrine.. I am going to make one as yours is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteVA, MD, P/MB, A, CM, V, MR, JM, B, SZQ, MIA & D - glad you all liked the finished PPS and thanks for comments - especially good that F and my work can combine so well. VA - the medicine bag is such a simple and beautiful ops. MD - thought that it could resonate with you given that we share that wave length. P/MB - I am keen to develop the series - just have a couple of exhibitions to deal with first. A&CM - glad it reaches out to you. V,MR & JM - it does look like an ancient treasure. B - I will find the time - I think they could offer people healing. SZQ - I'm lucky that I can call on F's skills for the words and not words. MIA - glad you thought it beautiful. D - looking forward to seeing your creation with a Japanese and Zen influence. Go well and create well. B
ReplyDeleteB, it is no surprise to me that these shrines are provoking such positive feedback! What I like most is that they dispel the idea that anything spiritual has to be a rejection of such worldly things as delight in a beautiful object in all its visual and tactile appeal! That these pieces can travel well is such a lovely reminder that a moment of reflection is always available anywhere anytime and is not any more tied to a specific place than the very spirituality we carry within. Bravo.
ReplyDeletewow B! how did i miss this! it is SO beautiful! the whole concept is beautiful in fact. what a great idea of a personal shrine to go along with us. F's burnt paper is hypnotic and looks so perfect there. what a great piece of art for the soul!
ReplyDelete