Monkeys of Compassion by Snow Mack

My concept for "Monkeys of Compassion" was inspired by the smiling monkey faces that are the main focus of each piece.  I wanted to create works that remind the viewer to be aware of compassion and goodness in humanity.  The "Monkeys of Compassion" evolved from the idea that, to me, the well known Three Wise Monkeys represent fear.  The world needs to move beyond our fears and respond with compassion.  Courage, kindness, and passion are just a few examples of the strengths of humankind. 

"Monkeys of Compassion: Courage" by Snow Mack

A spiral motif is the dominant design element.  The spirals are made with fortunes from fortune cookies I've been collecting for twenty plus years and three years of collecting Sunday horoscopes representing all twelve signs of the Zodiac.  The messages are slightly obscured, dispensing advice is not my goal, the viewer will gravitate to the words or not.  Placements of random found objects, toys, jewelry, buttons, game pieces and more, compliment the spiral.

"Monkeys of Compassion: Kindness" by Snow Mack

Each piece is a miniature Altar with a dashboard Saint and a vial of healing dirt from El Santuario de Chimayo in New Mexico.  I visited The Church of the Miracle Dirt in September 2014. In these works, I am combining my spiritual influences; the Hindu Monkey God Hanuman, Christian symbology and the mystical powers of the healing dirt.  Each Altar has a small offering bowl, sculpted by artist Peggy Zask, for prayers, wishes, mementos and keepsakes.

"Monkeys of Compassion: Passion" by Snow Mack

"Monkeys of Compassion: Courage"
"Monkeys of Compassion: Kindness"
"Monkeys of Compassion: Passion"
17" x 17"
Assemblages
Materials include:
Vintage buttons from my Mother's collection
Vintage jewelry from my Mother In Law's collection
Fortunes from 20+ years of collecting
Sunday Horoscopes from 3 years of collecting
3 Dashboard Saints from El Santuariò de Chimayó
3 Vials of healing dirt from El Santuariò de Chimayó
3 Small raku offering bowls created by Peggy Zask
Found toys, rusty nails, beach rocks, monkey doll face, game pieces, and more
Vintage Angels wrapping paper
Glue
Gesso
Texture Paste
Mod Podge

Folk art, hand carved wood figures from my collection; See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Speak No Evil also known as the Three Wise Monkeys.

While working on the Compassion series, I found my Mother Mary's WWII American Red Cross Volunteer pin and one of my Father Jerry's Army uniform buttons in a bag of her buttons. Mary saved buttons and other sewing essentials throughout her lifetime .

El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

I collected dirt from El Santuario de Chimayo, the site of "el pocito", the small pit of Holy Dirt which many people attribute as possessing remarkable curative powers. September 2014

Gift Shop, dash board Saints at El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

El Santuario de Chimayó, New Mexico September 2014

Work in progress, design concepts for "Monkeys of Compassion" series.

I decided on a spiral motif to incorporate the Fortunes and Horoscopes. Work in progress, design concepts for "Monkeys of Compassion" series.

Detail "Monkeys of Compassion: Kindness" vial of healing dirt from El Santuario de Chimayo and small Raku bowl for offerings or notes.

Detail of "Monkeys of Compassion: Passion" with a dashboard Saint from El Santuario de Chimayo gift shop.