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Water Spirits: La Sirena, La Sirene, Agoué, Yemaya, Yemanja, Oshun, La Caridad, Matsya, Mamy Wata and Assorted Fish-Tales

July 18, 2020

 

July is hot here in the northern hemisphere, all the more so in this age of global grilling.  Most of us are looking for cool water to dip in.  A good time to celebrate the vast array of water spirits that splash about in our collective unconscious.  Those fish, nymphs, mermaids, mermen and assorted water spirits figure in the art of most cultures, not least in the ones featured here at Indigo Arts.  
In Haiti there are two lwas or spirits of the sea, La Sirene and her consort Agoué, depicted in recycled metal sculptures by Serge Jolimeau and Kesnard Thermidor, paintings by Payas and Gerard Fortuné, and drapo Vodou or Vodou flags by Evelyn Alcide, Roudy Azor, Mireille Delice and others.
Fish tales abound in Africa, from Nigeria to Tanzania.   In Nigeria the Yoruba orisha, the sea deity Oshun shares the stage with the widely followed Mami Wata (Mother of the Waters).  Mami Wata (usually depicted in the guise of an East Indian snake-charmer!) has in turn traveled to Haiti and become associated with the lwa Ayida Wedo as well as La Sirene.  
In India the mermaid goddess Matsya maintains her composure amidst the monsters of the sea.  
In Cuba, the orisha of the sea is Yemaya, and Oshun appears as the Virgen de la Caridad, matron saint of Cuba.  She even appears in Haiti on a drapo Vodou by Georges Valris.
In Brazil she appears in José Francisco Borges' woodcut prints as Yemanjá, Iemanjá or Sereia.
La Sirena
 and el Sireno abound in Mexican sculpture, paintings and prints. They are found in Peru, both living and late.   And of course they are honored in the art of our LatinX community.

La Sirene and Damballa
SKU: MD-0901

Sequins and beads on fabric (29" x 32"),
2009

This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon

$ 2800

La Sirena I
SKU: HPR-2101

Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, 1992.
Acrylic on handmade amaté paper.  (39” x 27” in 46” x 34” frame)
Framed with linen backing.

Note:  Apologies for the background reflections in the glass in these photos.  These are not part of the actual artwork!

$2500

La Sirene - Vodou Flag
SKU: MD-0902

Sequins and beads on fabric (29" x 27 1/2"), 2009
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.
Note that the signature is mirrored, because the design was drawn on the back of the base sheet but not corrected for viewing from the front.  

$1,800

Les Sirenes Diamant - Vodou Flag
SKU: JBF-002

Sequins and beads on fabric
(39" x 36"), 2004.

Ex. Collection of Dr. Jacques Bartoli.

$1250

La Sirena II
SKU: HPR-2102

Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, c.1990.
Acrylic on handmade amaté paper.  (27” x 19 1/2” in 33" x 25 1/2" frame)
Framed with linen backing.

Note:  Apologies for the background reflections in the glass in these photos.  These are not part of the actual artwork!

$1200

La Sireine - Vodou Flag
SKU: JBF-328

Sequins and beads on fabric
(32" x 30") c.2000

Ex. Collection of Dr. Jacques Bartoli.

$950

La Sirena y el monstruo marino
SKU: LVA-9503

San Antonino, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1995.
Fired clay figures painted with acrylic paints, steel wire.
(23.5” h. x  16” w. x 32” d.)

Note:  This piece requires special art handling/crating/shipping.  Please inquire for estimate.

$950

La Sirene - Payas
SKU: PYS-1404

Oil on canvas (50" x 20"), 2014

$900

La Sirene - Vodou Flag
SKU: JBF-004

Sequins and beads on fabric
(41.5" x 32") c.2000

Ex. Collection of Dr. Jacques Bartoli.

$875

La Sirene and Damballa Vodou Banner
SKU: MD-1501

(Port-au-Prince)
Sequins and beads on fabric (19 1/2" x 21 1/2"),
c.2014
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.

$750

La Sirene et les Poissons
SKU: SJ-2407

Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
Recycled steel oil-drum sculpture.
(35" h. x 24”” w.), c.2024

$750

La Sirène et le Gros Poisson
SKU: GF-1706

Oil on canvas (24" x 35 3/4”), c.2000.  
Note:  Painting has some areas of cracking and paint chipping.  Some restoration is recommended once painting is stretched.  Painting will be shipped rolled.
Ex. collection of Nancy Josephson.

$675

Noah's Ark Retablo
SKU: PRTB-70-3

Claudio Jimenez Quispe (Peru), 2016/2017
Painted plaster sculpture w/ wood, other materials in painted wood box.
(9 1/2" h. x 12" w. x 3" d.)

Note:  Due to their fragility we can no longer ship these retablos out of the U.S. except by special arrangement.  Custom art-handler packing and shipping required.  Please inquire for estimate.

$700

Gerard Fortuné
SKU: GF-1407

(Port-au-Prince)
Oil on canvas (23 1/2" x 15 1/4"), Framed.
c.2010

$675 Framed

Aquarium
SKU: SJL-2405

Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti
Recycled steel oil-drum sculpture.
(18"h. x 39” w.), c.2024

$675

Mambeau La Sirene - Vodou Flag (Drapo Vodou)
SKU: LMR-2301

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Sequins and beads on fabric (45” x 40”),
c.2005.
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.  

This flag is being sold by Judy Hoffman for the benefit of the Art Creation Foundation for Children, which she founded in Jacmel, Haiti.

$5500

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene Matenel - Vodou Flag
SKU: AC-1604

Evelyn Alcide (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Sequins and beads on fabric (44" x 45 1/2"), c.2010
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant, Simeon and others.
This flag is being sold by Judy Hoffman for the benefit of the Art Creation Foundation for Children, which she founded in Jacmel, Haiti.

$3800

Product Status: 
Sold
Les Sirenes - Vodou Flag
SKU: FTS-2301

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, c.2005.  
Sequins and beads on fabric (43” x 50.5”).
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.

This flag is being sold by Judy Hoffman for the benefit of the Art Creation Foundation for Children, which she founded in Jacmel, Haiti.

$3500

Product Status: 
Sold
"Agoueh et La Sirene" Vodou Flag
SKU: RA-2001

Roudy Azor (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Beads on fabric (32 1/2” x 42”),
c. 2010
The flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.

$3500

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene - Vodou Flag
SKU: RA-2002

(Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Sequins and beads on fabric (34 1/2” x 37”),
c.2008.
Ex. collection of Nancy Josephson.
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.

Price on Request

Product Status: 
Sold
Haidah Wedo (Mamy Wata) - Vodou Flag
SKU: AC-1602

Evelyn Alcide (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Sequins and beads on fabric (42" x 32"), c.2010
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant, Simeon and others.
This flag is being sold by Judy Hoffman for the benefit of the Art Creation Foundation for Children, which she founded in Jacmel, Haiti.

$2500

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene
SKU: KTH-1401

(Port-au-Prince)
Recycled wire, steel, mixed metals, paint.
(33" h. x 11" w. x 11" d.)
c. 2014

$1250

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene Vodou Banner
SKU: LF/D-2001

Beads on fabric (26” x 35”),
c. 2010
The flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon.

$1200

Product Status: 
Sold
Deux Sirènes
SKU: GF-1707

Oil on canvas (39 1/2” x 30”), c.1995.  
Vintage Gerard from a private collection.
Note:  Painting has some areas of cracking and paint chipping.  Some restoration is recommended once painting is stretched.  Painting will be shipped rolled.

$950

Product Status: 
Sold
Le Lion de Mer II
SKU: SJ-1501

Serge Jolimeau (Croix des Bouquets, Haiti)
Recycled steel oil-drum (23 1/2" x 39 1/2"), c.2015

$750

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene et les Poissons V
SKU: SJ-1502

Serge Jolimeau (Croix des Bouquets, Haiti)
Recycled steel oil-drum (23 1/2" x 39 1/2"), c.2015

$750

Product Status: 
Sold
Las Sirenas Bajo el Mar (Under the Sea) Retablo
SKU: PRTB-118

Claudio Jimenez Quispé (Peru), 2016/2017
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(10" h. x 12" w. x 3 1/4" d.)

Note:  Due to their fragility we can no longer ship these retablos out of the U.S. except by special arrangement.  Custom art-handler packing and shipping required.  Please inquire for estimate.

$700

Product Status: 
Sold
Deux Sirenes - Vodou Flag
SKU: JBF-222

Sequins and beads on fabric
(23" x 29") c.2000

Ex. Collection of Dr. Jacques Bartoli.

$650

Product Status: 
Sold
L'Homme et La Sirene
SKU: SJ-0804

Recycled steel oil-drum
(17" w. x 33" h.), c.1995

$650

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene
SKU: MD-0905

Sequins and beads on fabric (19" x 23"), 2009
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant and Simeon

$ 575

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene Contemplating a Forlorn Landscape
SKU: DNB-1402

La Sirene Contemplating a Forlorn Landscape
Danice Bordes (Port-au-Prince, Haiti)
Oil on canvas (22" x 18"), c.1986
Ex. collection of Jonathan Demme. purchased in the Iron Market, early 1990's. Conserved by Leon Sevilla. Exhibited/Illustrated; Island on Fire, plate 140, page 172; Allegories of Haitian Life - Bass Museum, page 78.
Framed

$550 framed

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirene X
SKU: SJ-1504

Serge Jolimeau (Croix des Bouquets, Haiti)
Recycled steel oil-drum (35" x 12 1/2"), c.2015

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
Oshun Festival
SKU: ISF-1805

Ishola Folorunso.  Oshogbo, Nigeria c.2012
Hammered aluminum relief
(23 1/4" h x 16 1/8"w)

$475

Product Status: 
Sold
SKU: SJ-1402

Recycled steel oil-drum
(23 1/2"d.), c.2014

$ 375

Product Status: 
Sold
Les Sirenes
SKU: MRR-1004

Recycled steel oil-drum
(23 1/2" d. ), c.2010

$ 375

Product Status: 
ON HOLD
Matsya Talking to the Fish
SKU: MHXD-2112

Madhubani, Bihar, India
2020
Acrylic on paper (10 1/2” x 7 1/8” on 11 5/8” x 8 1/4” sheet)

$225

Product Status: 
Sold
Matasya Kanya (mermaid with lotus and fish)
SKU: MHXD-1902

Madhubani, Bihar, India
2018
Acrylic on paper (10 1/2" x 7 1/4" on 11 3/4" x 8 1/4" sheet).

$225

Product Status: 
Sold
Mar Tierra Aire (Sea, Land & Air) Small Retablo
SKU: PRTB-102-sm

Mabilon Jimenez (Peru), c.2013
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box (colors and specific design may vary)
(10" h. x 5 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

20% off

$225

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena con Guitarra - Santo
SKU: PGSTO-02

Javier Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2010
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture .
(9" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)
Each piece is one-of-a-kind. Details may vary.

$195

Product Status: 
Sold
Las Sirenas - Retablo frame
SKU: PRTB-149

Eleudora Jimenez (Peru), c. 2018
Painted plaster sculpture in painted wood box
(Exact colors and design may vary).
(9" h. x 8" w. x 1 1/2" d.)

$135

Product Status: 
Sold
José Francisco Borges
SKU: JFB-74

José Francisco Borges (Brazil),
Woodcut print on paper (11 1/2 x 20), 2004, 2005, 2013.

Exact details and colors may vary.

$120

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena con Guitarra - Retablo
SKU: PGRTB-08

Pedro Gonzalez (Aza, Huancayo, Peru), 2007
Painted carved maguey wood sculpture in painted wood box
(8 3/4" h.. x 4" w. x 2" d.)

Design and colors may vary.

$120

Product Status: 
Sold
Matsya and Four Lotuses
SKU: MHXD-1909

Madhubani, Bihar, India
c.2019
Acrylic on paper (6 3/8" x 4 3/8" on 7 1/2" x 5 1/2" sheet).

$75

Product Status: 
Sold
La Nadadora
SKU: JL-1931

Jesus Lorenzo
Acrylic paint on masonite w/ clear lacquer.
(12" x 8"), 2019

$65

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena con Sandia
SKU: JL-2007

Jesus Lorenzo
Acrylic paint on masonite w/ clear lacquer.
(12" x 8"), 2019/2020

$65

Product Status: 
Sold
Nothing Left but the Bones
SKU: HS-REC615

Mirtha Balan (Croix des Bouquets, Haiti)
Recycled steel oil-drum (10" x 20")

$62

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena
SKU: ATZPA-1802

Blanco Family, Santa Maria Atzompa, Oaxaca, Mexico, c.1970's.
Fired clay figure.
(7.5” h. x  6” w. x 3” d.)

$58

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena Calavera - retablo figure
SKU: PFIG-84

Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(6 1/2" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$38

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena Calavera con Guitarra - retablo figure
SKU: PFIG-100

Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).  2019.
(6 1/2" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$38

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena Calavera Violinist - retablo figure
SKU: PFIG-116

Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(6 1/2" h. x 3 1/2" w. x 2 1/2" d.)

$38

Product Status: 
Sold
Calavera Sirena Acordionista - retablo figure
SKU: PFIG-126

Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(6 1/2" h. x 3 1/4" w. x 2 3/4" d.)

$38

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena with Mandolin - Retablo Ornament
SKU: PSNA-12

2019
Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(3 1/4" h. x 5" w. x 1 1/4" d.)

$36

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena con Rosas - Retablo Ornament
SKU: PSNA-13

2019
Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(3 1/4" h. x 5" w. x 1 1/4" d.)

$36

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena with Panpipes - Retablo Ornament
SKU: PSNA-14

2019
Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(3 1/4" h. x 5" w. x 1 1/4" d.)

$36

Product Status: 
Sold
La Sirena with Lei - Retablo Ornament
SKU: PSNA-15

Painted plaster sculpture (with loop on back for hanging as an ornament).
(4" h. x 3" w. x 1 1/4" d.)

$36

Product Status: 
Sold
Man and Swordfish
SKU: MB1401

(Croix des Bouquets, Haiti, 1938-1988)
Recycled steel oil-drum (42" h. x 13.5" w.), c.1970
Purchased by current owner from Galerie Issa in 1971.

On Loan to Exhibition "Haitian Metal Art" at SFO Museum 2023 - July, 2024

Price on Request

Product Status: 
ON HOLD
AGOUEH LASIRENE (Marriage of Agoue & La Sirene)
SKU: AC-2002

(Port-au-Prince)
Sequins and beads on fabric
(58 1/2" x 59 1/2"), c.2005
This flag is extremely densely beaded and sequinned (and thus extremely heavy), in the manner of the artists Constant, Simeon and others.
Ex. collection of Nancy Josephson
A similar flag by Alcide is pictured on P. 166 of Nancy's book, Spirits in Sequins:  Vodou Flags of Haiti

Price on request

Product Status: 
Sold