Vessel 1935 - 1942

Mary Berner created this vessel using graphite and colored pencil. The pot’s surface is adorned with symbols, including what appears to be a stylized sun or star motif. This design isn't merely decorative; it's a potent symbol. The sun, or star, with its rays extending outwards, has been a recurring motif throughout human history and can be found across many cultures. We see it in ancient Egyptian art, where the sun god Ra was a central deity, and in Mesopotamian art, where the sun symbolized power and life. Even closer to home, variations of this motif appear in Indigenous art, representing the cycle of life, energy, and illumination. Notice, the sun or star motif is more than just an aesthetic choice; it's a conduit for expressing profound human experiences: a sense of connection to cosmic forces, the cycle of life and death, and the enduring human quest for meaning and understanding. These symbols are never static; they constantly evolve, and their journey through time and space, much like our own cultural memories, is always being rewritten.