Marina Pinho Caliari is an artist and an art restorer from Brazil and is currently an artist in residence at Free Oakland UP.
Yemanjá (as known in Brazil) is a spirit from the African religion Yoruba. She is an Orisha and the mother of all Orishas, having given birth to the 14 Yoruba gods and goddesses. She is often syncretized with either Our Lady of Regla, or Stella Maris. Yemaná is motherly and strongly protective, and cares deeply for all her children, comforting them and cleansing them of sorrow. She is said to be able to cure infertility in women, and cowrie shells represent her wealth. She does not easily lose her temper, but when angered she can be quite destructive and violent, as the sea in a storm.
She is often depicted as a mermaid, and is associated with the moon, ocean, and feminine mysteries. She is the protectress of women and rules the subconscious and creative endeavors. She governs everything pertaining women; childbirth, conception, parenting, child safety, love, and healing. She oversees deep secrets, ancient wisdom, the moon, salt water, sea shells, and the collective unconscious. According to myth, when her waters broke, it caused a great flood creating the oceans and the first mortal humans were created from her womb.
She makes sculptures of various themes incorporating various repurposed materials (wood, glass, metal).
7 inches tall
