3d to 2d

Body Wrap

For my sculpture utilizing the human form, I chose to base it on the poem "Because I Could Not Stop For Death" by Emily Dickinson.

• Because I could not stop for Death
• He kindly stopped for me
• The Carriage held but just Ourselves
• And Immortality. We slowly drove – He knew no haste
• And I had put away
• My labor and my leisure too,
• For His Civility We passed the School, where Children strove
• At Recess – in the Ring – 
• We passed the Fields of Gazing Grain – 
• We passed the Setting Sun – Or rather – He passed us –
• The Dews drew quivering and chill –
• For only Gossamer, my Gown –
• My Tippet – only Tulle – We paused before a House that seemed
• A Swelling of the Ground –
• The Roof was scarcely visible –
• The Cornice – in the Ground – Since then – ‘tis Centuries – and yet
• Feels shorter than the Day
• I first surmised the Horses’ Heads 
• Were toward Eternity –

I became inspired by the acceptance of death and the idea of a welcoming figure instead of a looming evil presence, Through the sculpture I intended to make a kindly personification of death. To portray this I set upon making a dapper figure, giving him a vest, a button up shirt, and slacks. Rather than a cowl or veil, I opted for a cow skull with an omega carved onto his forehead, symbolizing the last link of the poem. The colors within the garment are muted, except the flowers. The poppy flowers are significant as they symbolize eternal rest.