Anatolia Constellation
170 x 90 cm
2022
Anatolia Constellation series deconstructs and weaves together disparate elements of the kilim tradition, along with other symbology from Anatolian art history. Center stage of the composition is the ‘eli belinde’ Mother Goddess, celebrating femininity and the power of women since the beginning of early civilization.
The ‘elibelinde’ motif at its simplest represents a standing pregnant woman with her hands on her hips resting her hands on her hips to ease her back. In many Turkish villages, this symbol represents protection, abundance, and fertility. This motif is very frequently seen in Anatolian weavings, for millenia. It has been associated with the Mother Goddess figurines found in the ancient site Çatalköyuk (7000 BCE), and the reliefs that were found in 6150 BCE, which shows a clothed pregnant goddess, similar to this motif.
This motif can be seen through cultures and civilizations across time, from depictions of Wurunsemu of the Hattis, Hepat and Arinna of the Hitites, Kubaba of the late Hittites, Kibele of the Phrygians, Kibele of the Lydians, Artemis of the Ancient Greek site of Ephesus, Ma of the Pontus Kingdom and Cappadoccia… the list goes on.
As much as it’s a symbol of motherhood and fertility, it also represents abundance, fruitfulness of the soil, joy, as well as the power of the woman. It is also the only motif that represents the human figure, nodding to the matriarchal origins of our society.
Anatolia Constellation
170 x 90 cm
2022
Anatolia Constellation series deconstructs and weaves together disparate elements of the kilim tradition, along with other symbology from Anatolian art history. Center stage of the composition is the ‘eli belinde’ Mother Goddess, celebrating femininity and the power of women since the beginning of early civilization.
The ‘elibelinde’ motif at its simplest represents a standing pregnant woman with her hands on her hips resting her hands on her hips to ease her back. In many Turkish villages, this symbol represents protection, abundance, and fertility. This motif is very frequently seen in Anatolian weavings, for millenia. It has been associated with the Mother Goddess figurines found in the ancient site Çatalköyuk (7000 BCE), and the reliefs that were found in 6150 BCE, which shows a clothed pregnant goddess, similar to this motif.
This motif can be seen through cultures and civilizations across time, from depictions of Wurunsemu of the Hattis, Hepat and Arinna of the Hitites, Kubaba of the late Hittites, Kibele of the Phrygians, Kibele of the Lydians, Artemis of the Ancient Greek site of Ephesus, Ma of the Pontus Kingdom and Cappadoccia… the list goes on.
As much as it’s a symbol of motherhood and fertility, it also represents abundance, fruitfulness of the soil, joy, as well as the power of the woman. It is also the only motif that represents the human figure, nodding to the matriarchal origins of our society.