"I AM WOMAN III" 
A limited edition of 35 pieces. PRICE: $10,000.00
Medium: Bronze and glass beads. Weight: 110lbs includes a rotatable walnut base.
 Shipping is extra.
This and other pieces are available directly from the artist in Santa Fe, New Mexico USA
The original (sans decorations) was commissioned by the late Mr. Dennis Clark for the nurses at the Val Verde Women's Hospital in  Del Rio, Texas. Dennis was a strong supporter of my work both sculptures and Tiger Horses and his friendship is sorely missed. Rest in peace dear Denny.

This is part of an on going project to capture in bronze the life and times of one of the last true remaining nomads of the world. These beautiful people from the Wodaabe tribe in Niger (central north Africa) are attending the annual rainy season festival. The woman is shopping for a Talismen, probably a gift she is likely to make to a friend. The annual rainy season festival brings tribes from several regions to market their wares and to celebrate life.
After the bronzes have been poured, colorful patinas are added. I make the jewelry separately and it is the final touch to each piece. All details are as authentically reproduced as possible using real glass beads which in some cases are hundreds of years old and closely resemble those worn by the Wodaabe people.
 
Purchase as an entire mural or individual pieces.
PRICE FOR each, approximately $5,000.00
Currently there are five pieces to the first set. More pieces may be added from time to time. There were 12 full sets which included the standing tribesman. 1 Full set has been sold.
 After these 12 sets are sold the standing Tribesman will change.

The Wodaabe men roam the arid plains of Niger, North Africa, in search of grazing with their livestock returning every few days to traditional watering holes, wives and family encampments.
Imagine having to stand in line at a very deep well waiting your  turn to pull up a heavy bucket to drink and water YOUR animals! The livestock seems to know they will drink when their turn comes and each group patiently waits.

Like Talismens, carved gourds also play a major role in the life of the Wodaabe.
  Gourds are dried Squash or Callabash which make useful utensils. Gourds are handed down for generations and given as prized wedding gifts. The bronze cast Gourds  PRICE: $3,500.00

Each piece weighs approximately 35lbs   Height  45" to 38"
(below) a close up look at some of the details

 Wodaabe women (below) hollow and carve dried gourds (above) for a multiple of domestic uses.
  Many of the most intricately carved gourds are then covered for protection with finely woven grass basketry and braided string. Once covered the carvings on the covered gourds may never be seen again.  Gourds are passed down from generation to generation.
A limited edition of 30 bronzes will be sold. The first 4 have already been gone.
No.s 5 and 6 are currently available for immediate purchase.
The bronze "gourds" weigh approximately 35lbs and are available in a limited edition of  30 with the first three already sold.  The coloring of each piece will vary slightly.
 PRICE: $5,000.00
Weight 35lbs
Height 38" by 45" long. Ready to hang on a sturdy wall.

I am in awe of the Wodaabe women who use blunt or primitive tools to achieve beautiful detail for what took me hours and hours to imitate with expensive sharp tools at my disposal

(above and right) detail of Wodaabe woman's hands and jewelry as she selects a gift at the annual rainy season festival

(above) Wodaabe "Merchant" was completed December 2001. (right and below) Wodaabe herdsman attending the rainy season festival.

 Although this finely dressed gentleman appears to be adorned for the annual rainy season festival this is also his year round attire. Tending his cattle (camels and goats are also part of the Wodaabe's livestock) or back at the family encampment playing with his children.

Slung over the tribesman's shoulder is a finely woven grass mat which he uses for comfort like sleeping under a shade tree or sitting to eat a meal or sip a cup of comforting tea which he has brewed on a tiny wire basket, filled with hot embers.  Around his neck hang glass and brass beads plus rings and leather medicine pouches, some of which represent lucky charms also known as "Talismens." These are believed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits.
Leather pouches almost certainly contain  herbal medicines and other magical curatives.  
His stick also known as a "knob-kierrie" in other parts of Africa would have been hand-carved from hardwoods and is used as both a herding prod and serious weapon during combat.

The kneeling woman, gourds, merchant and merchandise are available in a limited edition of 30 The Wodaabe tribesman (above left) is  limited to only 12 pieces. (No.1 of the entire set is sold.) 

PRICE: $5,000.00 WODAABE TRIBESMAN Height 48" Weight 35lbs
PRICE: $5,000.00 WODAABE TRIBES WOMAN Height 38" x 45" Weight 35lbs
PRICE: $5,000.00 WODAABE GOURDS Height 35" x 48" wide Weight 35lbs
PRICE: $5,000.00 WODAABE MERCHANT
PRICE: $5,000.00 WODAABE MERCHANDISE

HOME AND HORSE PROPERTY FOR SALE.
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Wodaabe mural. Individually priced. A Sculpture in progress by Victoria Varley at
Nice Touch Design, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

This Web Site is maintained by Nice Touch Design. Last updated January 2007
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