Heroine's Journey (Front)

This work was chosen as a finalist, from over 1600 entries originating from 30 different countries, in the 2008-2009 Art Renewal Center's International Salon Competition.

Heroine’s Journey was inspired by the work of the famed mythologist, Joseph Campbell. In his interview series, The Power of Myth: The Hero’s Journey, Mr. Campbell describes how all of our heroes, across all cultures and throughout time, have undertaken a journey down perilous trails, often times reluctantly, and having done so, had their average human existence forever transformed into something eternally greater. Their journey is not complete though until they return to the the world and share their hard-won prize for the benefit of all.
This sculpture is an allegory of the moment of that transformation. Symbolic of the heroic metamorphosis is the notion of the essential journey, during which the former self is stripped away, and true character lay bared. In this sculpture our Heroine has arrived at the moment of the critical test of her journey, after enduring many challenging battles, and has accepted the final critical challenge. She has chosen to stay the course and make the ultimate sacrifice for something much larger than herself. She has been torn free of her comfortable and familiar bonds, and is stepping across the threshold of the unknown to a destiny that will forever impact lives.

If you look closely, you'll find symbolism embedded within the sculpture that gives clues of the story of the Heroine's Journey.