I am Norman Epp, the sculptor of “Mother Rising.” “Mother Rising” rose through ten years of intensive study of female literature in the 1990s. “Mother Rising” is created out of Virginia Soapstone, and if one looks at one side of this sculpture, you will see a classic torso of the maiden. Within that torso are images from several cultures, including the Egyptian culture, the ibis, which is the bird that signifies Isis, for example, and several other images from various cultures throughout the world. On the same side of this sculpture, one sees the pregnant image of the female; the mid-years of female energy. This figure, as one moves around the sculpture, morphs into the old crone--the wide old women of the forest, which is the female wisdom throughout the eons.
Noteworthy of the old Crone is the seed coming out of chaos at the bottom of that side of the sculpture. That seed moves up through vines or tree limbs and merges into the midsection of the old crone, which also opens up and feeds that tree image or that seed image. Towards the top of the old crone, below the head and neck, is a portal which moves into and back towards the other side of sculpture, just above the maiden. The portal between the maiden and the old crone is present within the sculpture. There are many ways to look at this female energy. One thing that I experience creating or being the director of this creation of this sculpture is that I realize my own female energy within myself. Something I believe all people have--some more than others--but an achievement of balance between the male and female energy is the goal of a balanced person in my mind.
You can find more of my work at www.normanepp.com, my website, and thank you for participating with this sculpture.
