Offensive Deity Statues

[SkySamuelle]

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-ca...e-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-hero...-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos...WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/di...-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I quite like the Bast one and it seems appropriate for a goddess connected with sex and pleasure, among other things.

Cernunnos... I would imagine Him 'rougher' but I wouldn't say it rings particularly inappropriate.



Diana's statues, on the other side - those strike me as all wrong, since She's a notoriously caste goddess and one who punished severely those who spied Her bathing. I can't imagine Se would like being represented that way upon the altar... but I realize I am basing my whole concept from Artemis, who is greek and slightly 'harsher'. I think I have read that Roman Diana was more connected with fertility ... but I still wuldn't buy either of those statues.

[Tana]

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-ca...e-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-hero...-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos...WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/di...-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

While I don't think that Bast statue bad, it's like veggie said, it just is not Bast?
Looks more like a woman dressed up as Bast.

The Herne/Cernunnos ones, the first one is actually picturing that kind of energy that absolutely can be picked up from Him. So I am not all against it. The second one is a terrible mash-up of things... like the artists was: Yeah, I am doing a Herne..no, Cernunnos, no Pan... oh the heck, just put it all together.

[Carnelian]

I'm always looking around for statues of Norse deities, but while I was searching around I came across this Bast statue: http://www.goddessgift.net/bastet-ca...e-PT-8857.html

Now, I'm not Kemetic, but this statue just struck me as an attempt to turn Bast into a (literal) sex kitten, and it just comes across as racist and, seriously, look at that sideboob!

While I'm at it, here's one of Herne-as-Fabio: http://www.goddessgift.net/gods-hero...-WU75041A4.jpg I'm not going to lie, I kind of like it.

While I'm at it, here's one of Cernunnos where the artist couldn't seem to decide whether he should have horns or antlers (personally, I think he looks very goat-like): http://www.goddessgift.net/cernunnos...WU75711A4.html

ETA: I just saw this statue of Diana: http://www.goddessgift.net/images/di...-WU74615A4.jpg Why is she naked? Why is there a flower covering her genitals and why does her hair look like it's been dressed for a night on the town?

YMMV, of course, but have you ever found a statue to be offensive?

I actually like the Bast one. You're right, traditionally Egyptian art is more modest and conservative, and didn't really change much over 3000 years, but as a modern interpretation of her I think it's beautiful. Like SkySamuelle said, it's appropriate for a goddess of pleasure and sensuality.

I kind of like the Herne statue too. I don't find it very offensive to portray a deity in a sexy way unless it's really contrary to the deity's character.

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her. She's dressed up like some sexy sci-fi heroine, not something a modest Greek woman would wear. As Hera represents the chaste, modest ideal for Greek women, and the dignified queen of the gods and patroness of marriage, I just don't feel it. However, others may get something out of it that I don't, so to each his/her own.

[Catherine]

I actually like the Bast one.


Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her. She's dressed up like some sexy sci-fi heroine, not something a modest Greek woman would wear.

I do think the statue of Bast is inappropriate. Simply because of the vapid expression, the stance (arched back, pushing out Her boobs, etc.) and the implication that She's playing with Her hair. The only thing missing is a lollypop. She could have been portrayed as sexy without looking stupid.

Also, that statue of Hera is just awful, IMO. Juno and Hera are similar enough that I find it to be inappropriate as well.

[Tana]

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her.

Hey, that shop offers also cool stuff.
*gets lost in the shops page for hours...*

[Darkhawk]

I quite like the Bast one and it seems appropriate for a goddess connected with sex and pleasure, among other things.

Well, it might be appropriate for a goddess connected with sex and pleasure, but that just underscores that it's not appropriate for Bast.

[Lokabrenna]

Also, that statue of Hera is just awful, IMO. Juno and Hera are similar enough that I find it to be inappropriate as well.

I just found this statue of Gaia (from the same line as the Hera one, I'm assuming): http://www.abaxion.com/ut805.htm

What's with the bare midriff? Don't misunderstand me, I find bare midriffs attractive, but on the personification of Earth? I guess I much prefer the Millennial Gaia: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXJqOp63pP...s1600/gaia.jpg

Some more from the same site:

Hecate: http://www.abaxion.com/ut430.htm Is it just me, or does she look very, very angry? Upset about her bare breasts, maybe?

A valkyrie--with a chainmail bikini: http://www.abaxion.com/ut803.htm This one I can forgive because it seems more like a "generic fantasy art" piece, but a chainmail bikini, seriously?

Ochun: http://www.abaxion.com/ut754.htm Now, perhaps this is appropriate for the orisha of love and beauty, but it does seem like she's showing a *lot* of leg. Is that a hat she's wearing, with the cowrie shells? I like it, it says "I'm in charge!"

Yemaya: http://www.abaxion.com/ut755.htm Yes, I know, she's associated with the sea, but I find myself very distracted by that bikini (the fact that she's gesturing to it does not help). I think the dolphin in the image has the same idea. Compare with this Yemaya from Sacred Source: http://www.sacredsource.com/Yemaya-d...ductinfo/YEMB/

I probably seem like such a prude. I have no problem with deities being naked where appropriate (for example, Aphrodite, who is rarely depicted clothed) but I think there's a fine line between artistic license, and just....not being very respectful.

[Waldhexe]

Hecate: http://www.abaxion.com/ut430.htm Is it just me, or does she look very, very angry? Upset about her bare breasts, maybe?

If there wasn't the bare boob, I'd say cool, finally one not portrayed as 'the Crone'.

[monsnoleedra]

..
Hecate: http://www.abaxion.com/ut430.htm Is it just me, or does she look very, very angry? Upset about her bare breasts, maybe?
..

I probably seem like such a prude. I have no problem with deities being naked where appropriate (for example, Aphrodite, who is rarely depicted clothed) but I think there's a fine line between artistic license, and just....not being very respectful.

I admit when it comes to Hecate / Hekate and Artemis / Diana I am pretty prudish in what I like or dislike. I prefer the more ancient look of their statuary than the modern rendentitions one finds today.

I dislike the referenced one as much as I despise this one from the same site. http://www.abaxion.com/hhec.htm or this one from the original site in question http://www.goddessgift.net/hecate-st...WU75183AA.html

With nudity I think it really depends upon which goddess and what aspect of her is being displayed. For instance the Arcadian / Olympian Artemis nudity is not appropriate given her chaste status in my opinion. Yet with the many breasted Artemis of Ephesus frontal nudity is a common occurance and important feature so it is expected.

Diana Nemorensis (sp) ie Diana of Lake Nemi is a tri-formus goddess with one figure believed to be particually nude of the three that make it up. Yet it's seldom clearly seen on the coinage which depicts it.

But that is my own personal preference of things not something i'd use to discourage anyone from creating or seeing any god / goddess as they would. Yet artistic liscense does seem to get pushed to the extreme at times in my opinion. Especially when I find a statue offensive and do some research into the artist and find they only created the form because it is popular and they though it would sell but have no actual connection to the goddess / god being depicted.

[SkySamuelle]

Nothing really comes to mind as far as being offensive, although there is this statue of Hera (http://www.abaxion.com/dq023.htm) that I don't think really suits her. She's dressed up like some sexy sci-fi heroine, not something a modest Greek woman would wear. As Hera represents the chaste, modest ideal for Greek women, and the dignified queen of the gods and patroness of marriage, I just don't feel it. However, others may get something out of it that I don't, so to each his/her own.

I saw that and I found rather sad it was the one Hera statue I ever saw around... if anything else because the artist dressed Her up as an odalisque or according some kind of oriental fashion... the one trait of the statue that actually made me to think of Hera was the peacock.