NATURAL TOTEMS

This Work Natural Totems embodies the symbolism of Totems —natural and sacred. Drawing from Jungian archetypes and Joseph Campbell’s hero journey, the cactus stands as a central pillar or axis mundi, symbolizing the connection between Earth and sky, matter and spirit. The bones, dyed in indigo, suggest a transition between life and death, while the cow manure is symbolic of renewal and fertility, tied to indigenous practices of honoring the land. The interaction of the canvas with nature mirrors the spiritual ecology ethos, where human and nature collaborate in an organic, unplanned symbiosis. The fruit and animal relics offer a tribute to the desert’s harsh, yet sustaining, environment. This piece transcends time, representing the cycles of life, entropy, and regeneration through minimal human intervention, allowing nature to leave its mark, just as Beuys would see the potential in organic materials and the healing power of land.