Multiculturalism for Steampunk Entry: Ganesha and the Empress of India

Just for fun I am posting an illustration to enter a "Multiculturalism for Steampunk" challenge.

http://thesteamerstrunk.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-feature-weekly-art-challenge.html

The following illustration is called "Ganehsa and the Empress of India".

Ganesha and the Empress of India

Watercolor Illustration on Bristol Board
Steampunk Series
11" x 14"
Copyright 2010

This painting is symbolic of Queen Victoria's reign in India and how the native peoples of India [represented by the mechanical elephant symbolizing the Hindu god "Ganesha"] were made to be the  work force supporting the British Empire. The Victorian lady symbolically represents Queen Victoria in 1880s attire with a gas mask that symbolizes this toxic situation for the people of India. Queen Victoria was called "The Empress of India"  from May 1st, 1876 in an act of Parliament. The mechanical elephant has a melancholy expression. The land is barren and the sky reflects the toxic atmosphere.

Thank you for your consideration :)

Denise Farinsky

References:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/india/1877empressvictoria.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

Youtube video of "The Garden House of Fairies and Music"

Please view my Youtube video of "The Garden House of Fairies and Music" Altered Art Jewelry Ballerina Clock Music Box. This video shows the music box, ballerina and clock working for your viewing and listening pleasure. :) Thank you :)

Enjoy!

Denise

"Ice Dance/Edward and Kim" Snowglobe Video on Youtube

I made this video awhile back of my "Ice Dance/Edward and Kim" Snowglobe, but I posted it on youtube for the first time today so that everyone can view it on my blog.

Here is the link:

Enjoy the magic ;)

Denise

"The Garden House of Fairies and Music" Altered Art Jewelry Ballerina Clock Music Box

My newest labor of love:

"The Garden House of Fairies and Music"
Altered Art/ Assemblage
Vintage Late 1960s- Early 1970s Jewelry Ballerina
Clock Music Box
Mixed Media, Found Objects
and Original Illustrations

Music Box plays Theme from "Love Story" [1970]
Ballerina spins around to music
Battery Operated functioning Clock

Dimensions: 14 1/2" H x 8 1/2" W x 5 1/2 " D
Weight: 3.75 lbs
Copyright 2012
Denise Farinsky

"The Garden House of Fairies and Music" [After]

1960s Plastic Ballerina Clock Music Box [Before]

Spider Jewel Door Handles

Chandelier

Cherubs, Roses and Butterflies

Vintage 1960s Music Box Ballerina

"18th Century" style  self portrait of the artist, Denise Farinsky

Original Illustration Paper Doll with Ink and Watercolor and Japanese Paper for Clothes

Original 1960s clock embellished with jewels of flowers and insects

Purple Velvet Back with Gold Sequin Stars, Dried Real Roses and Plastic Cherubs and Feather Wings

Top view of "The Garden House of Fairies and Music"

Real Dried Roses with Glitter Fairy Dust

Back view of  "The Garden House of Fairies and Music"

Rosebud and Pansy Fairies original illustrations: Watercolor, Ink and Pressed Flowers

Paper Roses and Dragonfly jewel

1950's Print of Victorian Lady with 1840s music from Godey's Lady Book

1950's Print of Victorian Lady with 1840s music from Godey's Lady Book

Decoupage of 1840s Godey's Lady Book and Prints of Victorian Fashion Plates from 1950s

"The Seaside" poem by Henry W. Longfellow  taken from 1840s Godey's Lady Book

Paragraph on New Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson taken from 1840s Godey's Lady Book