This painting, which belongs to my step-mother, hangs in their living room. Unfortunately I was never able to ask her about it…where it came from, why she liked it, and why it is hanging in her living room. Her Alzheimer’s is far too advanced for that. My dad doesn’t really seem to know either. But there it hangs, above the television and the Book of Mormon.
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Insights?
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Do you suppose this was a test of strength and endurance for braves? A hunting ritual? Native American S & M? .
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40 comments:
Oh my goodness, its so horrible!
W.T.F.?!?!??!
I can't wait to see the Google stats for this title. This looks like some warrior bravery test, ouch!
Ouch!
And you didn't steal it? Just for jokes?
I wouldn't believe you, except I can't believe that someone would make that up!
I'm not sure if it's an image of him sending out "milk power rays" from his nipples, or if he has something like sinews attached to them (is he being dragged by the nips? EEek), or if he's being struck down by some kind of lightning. I can't help illuminate this, but I'm definitely wondering with you!
I got nuthin'. Try googling the artist's name.
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lMnop
OMG - that is horrifying and hilarious at the same time. Wondering why anyone would paint that? Why would anyone purchase it? Why would anyone display it? Life ... is full of mysteries!
Why on earth would anyone keep that above their TV?
Yowza to that poor girls nipples.
I mean we all like a little twist and turn every now and then . . . but being hung up by the nipples.
OUCH!
It looks like some form of the Native American Sun Dance. They pierce their flesh and are attached to a pole, commonly a cottonwood tree, and dance around it. It's supposed to be spiritual, test strength, endurance. Still done in some places today; people have scars and re-pierce themselves where they've gotten tougher.
I can't wait to see other family momentos.
Were you the first to put dibs on this in the will?
Family is so much funny.
Test.
Not unlike a mammogram.
Ugh.
Wow, this doesn't seem like a parlor pic that's for sure. Interesting that your dad just got used to it being there and didn't really "see" it. I agree with Maureen's assessment.
Umm. Wow. Just wow.
It is not so much the nipple pulling that bothers me, but that light fixture in the painting is just disturbing!
It the whole painting look like an ancient basement torture session.
Right above the Book of Mormon? Oh my.
Google the artist. Which could be even scarier.
You're kidding me, right? Right???
Justine :o )
Oh my God! That is the weirdest picture!! Ouucchh!!
I think Maureen's right.
A few years ago I got to know a few people who were deeply into piercings as a spiritual practice. They were into being hung from fresh piercings in their backs, nipples, etc. Never witnessed it myself, thank god.
To each his own, but on top of the TV? Geesh. It must have meant something to her.
ummm....I don't even know why you would paint it, let along put it in the living room.
Could you move it and see if she notices?? (this is exactly why I can't be trusted around sick people).
Waaait a minute! Mormons watch TV??
hi jason, this is a bizarre image to say the least and the context of your step mother's house makes it even moreso. the process of piercing the pectoral muscles and inserting hooks attached to ropes is a sun dance of the sioux native americans and other plains indians. this was a big deal for them and has a long and very respected tradition. as i understand it i was done outdoors and the ropes were cast over a tree branch with two buffalo skulls attached to the other ends or attached to a pole. the brave would do this to make an offering, etc. etc. the weird thing about this picture is that it's inside and there's and ugly ceiling lamp on the ceiling of the hut. so unbelievably strange
Interesting picture. More interesting to have it in the living room!
...although, I don't really know there would be a better room for it.
Laughing 'til make donkey noises over the lighting fixture. May I hazard a guess that it is a REFLECTION? ; )
But if I'm wrong, maybe we should be looking more closely for other anachronisms, such as wrist watches, iPods and Big Gulps.
Mostly worried about the poor model who had to pose for this.
Hello, "Antiques Road Show"? I have a question . . .
When we saw this in the house, Paul went into detail of the story behind it. My mind has chosen to block the memory because of the graphic nature.
Didn't you ever see that Richard Harris movie, "A Man Called Horse"? Here's a link to a pic with this very ritual:
http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3513096192/tt0066049
Good times.
Ha!
It's a swing! Wheeeeeeeeee!
Dang! I wanted to blog about this before you did! And it took me a few minutes to realize who your stepmother was. That's how removed from the situation I am. Weird. Remember how I could never remember Linda's name? Weird.
Ah...I bet they had a really nice time discussing it during Family Home Evening.
Definitely sun-dance-ish. Did you ever live with them????
I am so scared about this. And it doesn't seem motherly at all. It will never be in my living room that is for sure : ) Great title though!
Yikes!
I don't even know where to go with that one. It's fascinating. Like a car wreck.
Yikes! There are some questions best left unanswered. This just may be one of those questions.
Yep, it's a Native American Sun Dance ceremony.....a male dancer's chest is pierced and they can dance for days before the flesh breaks the tie. I think it is seen as a symbolisation of rebirth. A pretty gruesome painting to adorn a wall but it the Sun Dance was a deeply honoured tradition of the Plains Indians. :)
Oh my gosh Jason, that is hilarious!!! What the?!?!?
In honour of this lovely painting, here's a song to accompany it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLpROhIg9eA
I think that these nipple clamps are a test of endurance. But I not understand the use of the object in the right arm of the native man.
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