religious art

Mary and Joseph are thrilled with their tiny child, born on the first Christmas. Wending their way toward the stable, the Three Kings are mounted on camels. They bring rich gifts to the Christ child. By Maria Ramos Sanchez, this beautiful Christmas stocking is a superb example of the Andean art of arpillería. The motifs are created with patchwork; the diminutive figures are crafted in three dimensions and embroidered by hand.

This wonderful tree skirt is crafted in the folk art technique known as arpilleria, which is a three-dimensional applique. Leonor Quispe in Peru crafts the colorful tree skirt, which depicts the three Wise Men on their journey to witness the holy birth.

A cash crop on this highland farm, sunflowers fill the senses with fiery color. Between the field and the hamlet, a boy on horseback herds donkeys. Working in the traditional art of arpillería (patchwork), Leonor Quispe creates a beautiful wall hanging depicting life in the Andes. Each tiny figure is crafted in three dimensions and lavishly embroidered.

A display rod can be slipped through an opening at the top.

The Magi make their way toward the stable where Jesus sleeps in a manger. Guided by the Christmas star, they seek the Holy Family and a newborn king. Leonor Quispe works in the traditional art of arpillería (patchwork) to create an heirloom Christmas stocking. Each tiny figure is crafted in three dimensions and lavishly embroidered.

Seated on a tiger, Shiva lifts a hand in blessing. Regarded as the celestial overlord of deliverance through destruction, Shiva has his customary trident by his side as a show of divinity. The hissing cobra that slithers around his head symbolizes his potent divine destructivity, and his matted hair is thought to contain the flow of the Ganges River. Shiva is one of the most complex gods of India, embodying seemingly contradictory qualities. He is both the destroyer and the restorer, the great ascetic and the symbol of sensuality, the benevolent herdsman of souls and the wrathful avenger. Unaffected by the whims of the world, he is innocent and guileless, pure of mind and heart. He does not adorn his body with jewels or flowers — he mats his hair and dresses in animal hide.

Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa is a master of the batik technique, sketching the figures by hand and applying the wax resist freehand, which requires great skill. A different dye bath is required for each separate colour in his elegant and complex batik "painting."

Beautifully hand-painted on cotton fabric, a Balinese-style Buddha is serene. Artist Ida Bagus Lawa Bargawa works in traditional batik methods to render the figure of Buddha with his eyes downcast and his hand raised in a blessing.

Enchanted by the beauty of Sita, the evil king Rawana wants her as his concubine. He sends one of his knights to tempt her by transforming himself into a golden deer. Sita, captured by her curiosity, asks her husband to catch the golden deer. Thus begins one of the many trials that beset the noble Rama - though happily, love will ultimately prevail. The story comes from the Sanskrit Ramayana, or "Romance of Rama," the Hindu epic poem. Gusti Made Sujana uses batik to depict Rama and Rawana with the deer.

Depicted in radiant batik, Buddha meditates as he sits upon a lotus blossom, symbol of purity. His graceful posture and beautiful features find expression in an ancient art form. Siddique creates this inspirational batik wall hanging.