Project Sarmik
Beneath The Skin
*hover over Artifacts you want to know more about*
Embryo:
Inspired by fish roe, These three eggs are just a few of the thousands laid by this species. Each egg contains a different phase of the fish development cycle.
Medium:
Resin
6
ft
Shark Tooth Sword:
Shark teeth have been used for thousands of years in both ceremonial rituals and war. This Sword is based off one found in Indonesia, estimated to be around 7,000 years old. It is believed to originate from the Toalean people, an ancient culture known only through archaeological sites. While much about them remains speclautive, artifacts like this one offer a glimpse into a wrold thats been forgotten
Medium:
Hickory, Shark Teeth, Tree Sape, Twine
Baby Shield & Sword:
"Sarmiks" lay thousands of eggs throughout their travels, and the hatchlings emerge into the world ready to hunt. To give them a fighting chance , mothers often leave weapons near the embryos. These tools are usually crafted from stingray barbs , tree sap, and sticks paired with a small shield made out of drift word
Medium:
Wood, Sap, Stingray barbs
Spear:
Spears throughout history have served many purposes--tools of the hunt, centerpieces to ceremonial dances and primarily--instruments of war. While this particular spear draws inspiration from the native americans,vikings, and islanders around the world, some spear in history were up to 21ft long!
Medium:
Maple Wood, Clay, Iron, Tree Sap, Twine, Stingray Barbs
Fungi :
Fungi are some of the most complex and oldest organisms on Earth. They are know to help entire ecosystems by moving nutrients in the soil through their mycelium network. While not much is known about them and millions still to be discovered--I have chosen a few for their alien like appearance
Types of mushrooms:
Blue Mycena-Interrupta,
Ascocoryne Cauldron,
Cribraria
Lycogala Epidendrum
Lycogala Conicum
Dacrymycetaceae,
Comatrichia Fragilis
Medium:
Resin, Ink
Sarmik's Head:
Choosing the head for this project, I wanted a species that would both fit the body type and a parent like appearance. After sorting through hundred of species I landed on the Sarcastic Fringehead. A species that only grow to about 6 inches but has a ferocious attitude.
Medium:
Foam, Clay, Resin, Acrylic paint
Heading 3
Scarification:
Scarification is the inteentional process of altering the skin to form scars. This practice is most commonly found amongst tribes in Africa but is known as world wide practice. I chose to cover the sarmiks upper body with keloid scars to represent this tradition.
Medium:
Clay, Acrylic paint
Dani Tribe:
The Dani people of Western New Guinea are a ethnic group known for their practice of finger cutting. This occurs when a family member passes and to mourn their death, members of the tribe would cut segments of their finger off. It was believed to symbolize the pain of losing a loved one but it's also believed to ward off bad luck. I chose to represent this practice by replicating a segment of my finger, mummified it , and then attach it to the Sarmiks finger
Medium:
Plaster, Acrylic paint
Swamp:
Imbedded in the base, I've add a partial cut of a swamp. Within the water there are hand sculpted paddlefish chosen for their alien-like appearance. In the surrounding area I've added duckweed and frog eggs amongst the water's surface.
Medium:
Resin, Clay, Acrylic paint
6
ft
Tsantsa:
Tsantsa or aka shrunken heads are artifacts from Jivaroan tribes including the Shuar and Achuar people. Located in the Amazon this ethnic group created these heads from fallen enemies. It was believed that the shrunken head would harness their soul and grant the holder power. This tradition was found in the 19th century but due to colonialism, banned because of the black market it created. I decided to create four-- one based off the original heads, another based off the facial features of the Aboriginals of Australia, and the last two based off greek mythology (Cyclops & Siren) to represent the meeting point of the western world and this Tradition.
Medium:
Acrylic, Thorns, Beads, Twine, Casting Plaster, Clay, Wool
Gourds:
Gourds are hard--shelled fruits from the cucurbit Family. Once dried they resemble a wood like structure that can easily be hollowed out. Gourds were most notable used for transporting drinking water but were also used to collect seeds. The practice of turning gourds into tools has been found world wide as it was often a trading commodity.
Medium:
Gourd, Twine
Bone Knife:
Hanging from the belt of the Sarmik sits several tools made from the body of a deer. Sourced from my local butcher shop, I crafted antler knapping tools for obsidian and most importantly the bone knife. Shaped from the deers ulna leg bone, this intricate tool is a direct reference to the Native Americans use of animals as a resource.
Medium:
Ulna Bone, Antlers, Twine
Stingray Leather:
Ancient Japan was the most known to use stingray leather. During the Kamakura Period Stingray leather was used in Samurai handles for its texture surface, leading to better grip. Later on it was used as a decorative cover for armor. I decided to incorporate stingray leather as a piece to the Sarmik's loincloth, tying in the use of the stingray barbs for weapons.
Medium:
Stingray leather
(not made by Biny but sand blasted for a torn look)
Squid Eggs:
Amongst the netting on the Samrik's body sits a couple species: mussels, barnacles, and my favorite Squid eggs. Creating the squids was part of challenge, a challenge of creating pieces on a small scale. This mini project became one of my favorites and has become part of my signature collection.
Medium:
Resin, Clay
Propeller Strikes:
Propeller strikes occur when a boat's rotating propeller comes into contact with an object. The most affected creatures are the manatees, but turtles, whales, and even coral reefs showcase scars for these impacts. I chose to incorporate five diagonal strikes across her back to highlight the harm humans inflict on marine life. These marks also serve as a functional purpose in the design, doubling as a way to integrate a satchel for carrying eggs.
Medium:
Clay
Obsidian Tools:
The Native Americans, Aztecs, and Myays civilization were amongst the post prominent users of obsidian. Known for its razor-shape edg, this volcanic glass was commonly used for cutting tools and arrowheads. I challenged myself to try knapping obsidian tools and must say-it's one of the most difficult materials to grasp quickly.
Medium:
Obsidian
Dropped Embryo:
As the Sarmiks travel, the females constantly lay eggs in hidden areas. Preferable they hide them along creek beds or in mossy environment. Allowing the child to hunt for aquatic life and hide and give them a fighting chance to survive on their own.
Medium:
Resin
Blue Mycena:
Blue mycena also known as the Blue Ghost mushroom or Pixie's parasol are small gilled mushrooms found amongst rotting wood. Found primarily in moist temperate forest this mushroom can rarely be found in parts of the Americas, Asutrialia , New zealand and Asia. I purposely chose to recreate this mushroom because of it glassy appearance making it seem like it not even from earth
Medium:
Resin
Gallery
Eight different fungi species, I chose to recreate some fungi because of their otherworldly appearance. Each one with their own rarity in nature.
Inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci's Drawings, This field journal tells the story of Sarmiks
Eight different fungi species, I chose to recreate some fungi because of their otherworldly appearance. Each one with their own rarity in nature.