Olathe Nativity Exhibit 2016

February 2, 2017 by shelley

Olathe Nativity Exhibit 2016

The Olathe Nativity Exhibit 2016 seemed to be a huge success and I enjoy my part in it…mainly sharing some of my nativities and getting caught up with friends I would not see otherwise!

Live Nativity

Olathe Nativity Exhibit 2016

Some of my nativities on loan:

Olathe Nativity Exhibit 2016

And for the first time ever they went live!

Nativities from around the world

December 1, 2013 by shelley

More nativities from my collection:

Nativity from Italy:

Nativity from Italy by Alessi

Alessi Presepe Nativity Scene Manger, in porcelain. Hand-decorated, white. The project is a dialogue with the intriguing world of porcelain figures and especially with the refined tradition of european manufactured items from the eighteenth century onwards, using contemporary artists. Design by LPWK and Massimo Giacon, 2007. By Alessi. Combining two great traditions, the nativity scene and Christmas decor, LPWK and Massimo Giacon introduce the Presepe Group. (There are actually several more figures.) Made by Alessi in Italy.

Nativity from Italy by Alessi

Nativity from Ecuador

This four-piece abstract nativity is made from ecologically harvested balsa wood, carved and painted to create this familiar scene in a new and colorful way. It is from Ecuador.

and another one from Ecuador:

Nativity from Ecuador

Ecologically harvested balsa wood is carved, burned, and painted by hand to create this funky little 5-piece nativity. Fun to arrange and stack!

Nativity from Japan:

Nativity from Japan

This is a Sadao Watariabe (artist) Japanese artist watercolor.

Nativity from Peru:

Nativity from Peru

Peru’s cultural syncretism inspires the beautiful ceramic art of Alberto Aparicio Canchari. He characterizes the Holy Family and the Three Kings according to the customs of the Chancay people. The Chancay culture flourished in central Peru between 1200 and 1470 A.D., and was renowned for its skilled agricultural techniques. Canchari designs, crafts and paints each figurine in this nativity set containing nine pieces.

Nativity from Uganda

This Nativity scene is handcrafted by native women in Uganda. The figures are made from wire frames wrapped ingeniously with banana fiber and then dressed in traditional kitenge fabric in shades of red. The scene contains 10 figures: Joseph, Mary, the baby Jesus, two shepherds, two sheep, and three wise men kneeling with their gifts. The standing shepherds are 5.75 inches tall. The stable’s exterior is banana leaves, while the interior is lined with bark cloth. The star is also lined with bark cloth. The stable is 7.25 inches tall (to top of star).

Kitenge fabric is a communicating textile—the various colors, patterns, writings, and symbols represent moods, feelings, cultures, and traditions of native African people. It is worn similar to the sarong, often wrapped around the chest or waist, over the head as a headscarf, as a baby sling or tailor-made into a dress.

Bark cloth has a rich history: the inner bark of the Mutuba tree has been crafted by Bagandan artisans into cloth for over 600 years. It has a strong place in their culture as it is still used by the royal family, traditional healers, and as a burial shroud at funerals. This unique process of changing bark into cloth begins with the removal of the outer bark of the Mutuba tree, exposing an under-layer of moist, fleshy trunk. Horizontal and vertical cuts are made the length of the tree, allowing the artisan to use an angled banana stalk to peel away the inner bark. What falls away from the tree is a narrow section of bark. Banana leaves are cut and wrapped around the exposed trunk, keeping it moist and allowing the bark to grow back within a year. To deepen the rust color of the bark, dried banana leaves are placed on top of it and set on fire. The artisan carefully brushes off the ash, washes it and then wraps it in fresh banana leaves, keeping it moist so it can be worked. The next day the artisan begins creating bark cloth by repeatedly pounding it with a grooved mallet as has been done for generations. Each carefully placed hit leaves its grooved impression on the surface of the bark. With time the bark slowly widens, softening it into cloth. After five hours of constant laborious pounding, the artisan finishes the cloth. He lays it fully in the sun, pulling it tight while laying rocks around the edges.

NAWOU, The National Association of Women’s Organizations in Uganda, is a non-governmental organization representing over 1000 women’s groups in Uganda. Winston Churchill described this lush, fertile country as “the pearl of Africa.” The goals of the organization are: 1) to coordinate networking between women’s groups, 2) to bring women together to deal with issues of common concern, 3) to respond to requests for technical assistance to help women achieve their professional goals, 4) to make resources available which will help women achieve their goals, and 5) lobby the government and local organizations on issues affecting women.

And links to other pages with nativities from around the world page 1, page 2, and page 3

More nativities from around the world

November 1, 2013 by shelley

A few more of my nativities:

This nativity is from Peru (Andes area) by artist John Barrow. Sleek and modern, the figures are carved from native ishpingo wood and stained in deep, rich colors.

Peru (Andes) hand carved from ishpingo wood.

This ceramic nativity is from Guatemala by artist Jose Arriola. The Holy Family, angels and the three Kings are in the traditional weavings of San Juan Sacatepequez.

Ceramic Guatemala Nativity by Jose Arriola

This crystal nativity is from Dansk and is made from leaded crystal . It was discontinued in 1998. Dansk is a subsidiary of the Lenox Corporation.

Lead Crystal nativity by Dansk

Genuine Anne Beate 10 piece Nativity Set Handmade in Denmark

Denmark nativity by Anne Beate

Antique 1880 victorian scrapbook cover with a nativity scene.

antique book cover with nativity scene

This handmade 3-piece nativity set is from Peru. The alluvial clay used for these ceramics comes from the banks of the Ucayali river, a tributary of the Amazon. Most of the color pigments such as red, yellow, white and black used to decorate these ceramic surfaces also occur naturally in the area. Age old indigenous and traditional methods are still in practice for creating these pieces of art.
This nativity set is hand-crafted by traditional artisans of the Shapibo tribe of Peru, known for their quality ceramic art. Manos Amigas (Friendly Hands) assist the Shipibo villagers in exporting their products and in community development programs.

Peruvian nativity

This nativity is a vintage 3 Tier German style nativity a Weihnachts-Pyramide Christmas
Carousel.

German pyramid nativity

African nativity hand carved:

African hand carved nativity from dark wood.

Antique mid-century brass nativity:

Antique mid-century brass nativity

ANTIQUE EARLY 1900s BRASS Medal with nativity scene:

Nativity medal

Handmade rolled paper nativity:

Handmade hand rolled paper nativity

Handmade Pueblo clay nativity with rug by Ann Graffy.

Pueblo artist Ann Graffy handmade nativity.

Traditional Peruvian Nativity depicts richly colored figures in traditional Peruvian dress, with traditional designs engraved in the clay.

Ceramic Peruvian Nativity

La Palma Nativity in white pine and hand painted in the La Palma folk art style, made famous by Salvadorian artist, Fernando Llort.

El Salvador Nativity in wood.

Hand made from natural jute fabric and cord. Handmade in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh nativity

Ayacucho Nativity based on traditional Peruvian garments and patterns. Red clay is fired and exquisitely hand painted by skilled artisans.

Ayacucho Peruvian Nativity

Soapstone Nativity from Kenya. Hand-carved, natural soapstone is hand dyed, then incised with detail.

Kenyan Nativity

Haitian Crisscross Nativity. Sheets of recycled steel drums find new life as a vivid three-dimensional nativity. Each of the two sheets is cut, stippled, and painted by hand on both sides to create this Haitian interpretation of the nativity.

Haitian Nativity

A nativity set has never looked so effervescent! Artisans recycle Kenyan soda cans to create this colorful 6-piece set.

Kenyan soda pop can nativity.

A Toona Batik Holy Family made in Indonesia. Tall and sculptural, these holy figures are beautifully carved from dark Toona wood, then meticulously painted by hand to create the colorful patterning.

Indonesian Nativity

Mayan nativity

Irish nativity

Irish Nativity

Kenyan nativity made from wire:

Kenyan nativity

One piece tree nativity:

tree nativity

Joy nativity:

Joy nativity

See more nativities. Additional posts of my nativities may be found here and here.

A few more nativities from around the world….

February 10, 2012 by shelley

NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

A nativity from Zambia:

Wire and Twine Nativity from Zambia.

This Nativity is made from wire and twine by George and Faith Mushipi, who are house parents for the Children’s Resource Center, an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia. George bends five different kinds of wire and wraps the twine for the Nativity stable and figures, while Faith hand-stitches the colorful clothing and stuffs the figures with wool. The standing figures measure 7 inches tall. The stable measures 11.75 inches tall to the top of the angel.

The couple jointly cares for the 25 orphans on the property. George is responsible for the social development of the children, while Faith does the cooking and cares for the children’s emotional and physical needs.

Wool nativity from Bolivia

This Nativity from Bolivia is made from handspun, handwoven sheep’s wool that is dyed using natural pigments. The figures are fashioned after the traditional dress of Andean shepherds and Inca royalty. Mary and baby Jesus are depicted in traditional Aymara clothing. The 10-piece set includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, two shepherds, a llama, a cow, and three wise men. The standing figures measure approximately 8 inches tall.

Pastor Mendoza lives in a small community, a 2-hour walk from the village of Sorata. Over the past 20 years, he has concentrated on becoming a reliable and accomplished doll maker. His wife and 5 children also help in the making of the dolls and Nativities. In this way, his children grew up learning artisan techniques.

Pastor’s community is very united, with each family focusing strongly on agricultural production. The main crop is corn, yet peas, beans, and potatoes are also popular crops. In Pastor’s community, the men take turns carrying out the responsibilities of leading the community. At the end of the year, the community responsibilities will be redistributed. Pastor doesn’t yet know what he will be asked to do for the coming year, or if he may have some time off from community duties.

Until recently, Pastor’s village did not have electricity nor a road going to it. Those in the positions of responsibility in the community spent much time and energy in the official requests for these improvements, which have proven fruitful. It is now much easier to get produce to market using the new road. With electricity it is much easier for the children to do homework or the parents to do their handcrafts into the evening hours.

I purchased these nativities from the website www.worldnativity.com.

This next nativity is by a US artist, Hiliary Pfeifer, Bunny With a Tool Belt. She has become quite recognized as an artist since I bought my first nativity made by her.

Nativity by Hiliary Pfeifer, Bunny With a Tool Belt.

This is a cloth nativity from Ghana:

Cloth nativity from Ghana.

And finally a fun nativity from Mexico that was given to me by my friend; Ellen Duckworth.

Mexican nativity.

Additional nativities can be seen at this post and this one.

Sharing nativities added to my collection! (Nativities from around the world)

February 9, 2012 by shelley

I thought it might be fun to share some of my nativities from my collection. These are some that I added this past year.

Nativity from Liberia made from bullets.

This Nativity set is made from brass AK-47 bullet casings. Each casing is cut open and pounded flat, designed, then cleaned with solvents and polished with sand. The Nativity was created by a young man named Calvin Fayiah in Monrovia, Liberia. The set includes 11 pieces: Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus in manger, an angel, a shepherd with a lamb around his shoulders, two sheep, three wise men, and one camel. The figures measure 2 inches tall.

The bullet casings used in this Nativity have a dramatic story. The casings were collected from streets and villages throughout Liberia as a leftover remnant of the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars (1989–2003). The second war between three rival groups caused the death of 150,000 Liberians and the displacement of hundreds of thousands more. The sobering scene of bullet casings discharged everywhere was a common site throughout Liberia for many years after the war ended.

In addition to our admiration for the historical significance of these bullet casings, we admire the important symbolism of Peace where stark tokens of violence are converted into a peaceful representation of Jesus’ birth, which is the crowning definition of Peace in human history.

Calvin uses the income from his bullet Nativity to put himself through a criminal justice program as a first step into a law career in Liberia.

Nativity made from snack bags from Honduras.

This Nativity set is made from snack bags fastened over wire frames. The bags are cleaned and cut or folded into the desired shapes, then glued to the frames. All of the figures have wood faces. The figures are made by a woman named Luz in Trujillo, Honduras.

Another nativity from Honduras:

Nativity from intricately woven snack bags.

This Holy Family is made from intricately woven snack bags. The bags are cleaned and cut into strips the size of gum wrappers. Then the strips are folded so that the pieces can be woven into each other. Mary holds baby Jesus. Both Mary and Joseph have wood faces. Joseph stands 6 inches tall.

The figures are made by a boy named Freddie in Trujillo, Honduras. This project is an effort to teach youth skills that they can use to earn income once school is done for them.
I purchased these nativities from www.worldnativity.com.

Vietnamese nativity made from recycled rolled magazines.

Multiple layers of rolled, coiled and lacquered recycled magazines create these colorful figures. Made in Vietnam.

I found this beautiful antique Hummel figurine nativity, from the 1950’s.

Antique Hummel Figurine Nativity.

The next three are handmade nativities I found on Etsy’s website:

Tiny tiled nativity handmade by an artist on Etsy.

Quilled paper nativity.

More nativities here and here.