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Art Show: Fourth Annual Ripped Off Show

Sedna

by john christopher borrero

Banner for Fourth Annual Ripped Off Show art show

Art: Sedna by Artist john christopher borrero
This piece was made for the Ripped Off show. It is an interpretation of Kelli Dubay's Ice Queen.

Sedna is a significant figure in Inuit mythology.

Sedna was a beautiful Inuit girl who lived with her father. Under pressure from her father, she agreed to marry one of her suitors, only to find out later that he was an evil Raven spirit in disguise, who held her captive as his wife.

Unhappy and miserable, Sedna cried so loud that her father went to the Raven’s home to steal his daughter back in his kayak. The Raven found them quickly, swooped down near the kayak and flapping his wings above the ocean, turning the calm Arctic Ocean into a raging torrent to kill them both. Sedna's father became very frightened and threw Sedna over the side of the kayak into the ocean, saying "Here is your precious wife, please do not hurt me, take her."

When Sedna tried to get back into the kayak her father, terrified by the raging storm, began to pound against her hands and fingers. Frostbitten from the icy waters, her hands and fingers cracked and fell off into the ocean. Her fingers sank to the bottom of the ocean and there turned into seals and walruses. Her hands became whales and other large mammals.

Finally, Sedna herself sank into the icy waters, but did not perish. She was instead transformed into the mystical being known as Sedna, Mother of the icy Oceans and ruler over all life in the Sea. Her companions are the seals and the whales that sit with her at the bottom on the ocean. Her anger and fury still produce the violent seas. Today, a hunter must treat her with respect in order to fish successfully, and so he drops water into the mouth of a mammal that he catches… a gesture to thank Sedna for her kindness.

Thanks to Kelli for the opportunity to work with one of her beautifully emotional pieces.


Detail Image


Detail Image for art Sedna

Kelli Dubay's Ice Queen

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