Christian Hernán De Restrepo

Excited to share a new Tunjo, a response piece to a Mayan vessel I have been thinking about since my first visit to Dumbarton Oaks collection last December. (Pic 7 in swipe over.)
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Shown is my Tunjo depiction of the old Mayan god Pawahtun, known as God N by scholars.
God N is one of the major gods of the ancient Maya, but his role and identity often confusing and in debate.
He is a patron god of artists, scribes, and scholars. Often depicted as an elderly man emerging from a turtle carapace or seashell, God N is considered a world-bearer, helping to hold up the sky.
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Creating the God N Tunjo provided me the opportunity to explore an intricate design and fabrication process as I was working from a flat 2D profile image of God N and translating his features and regalia into a flat but 3D front-facing form.
I also had to consider casting the Tunjo in parts as I was limited by flask sizes.
This resulted in the God N Tunjo having his feathered headpiece from the vessel be removable, providing the opportunity to dress up or dress down God N.
For his shell, I used a spiral shell that was gifted to me by the wonder @daniellimon9 to created the copy, and modified its design so that it could function as the shell that God N Tunjos emerges from, but also folded in a “functional” component by turning the shell into a brooch that can be worn alone or with God N in it.
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Very happy with how this piece turned out, and the new opportunities for pushing my Tunjo work into new directions.
Excited to see how this part of my practice continues to grow and be shaped by my research, trips, and time.
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Pic. No. 1 - God N Tunjo in his shell.
Pic. No. 2- 4 - Components of God N.
Pic. No. 5 - God N’s shell worn as brooch.
Pic. No. 6 - Shell brooch with God N hanging out.
Pic. No. 7 - God N vessel at @dumbartonoaks
Pic. No. 8 - 10 - God N Tunjo meeting God N vessel.
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More soon.