Fertility has long been a symbol of growth and productivity in many cultures, and this is no different in the artistic world. One such example is the painting titled “Fertility Head,” an acrylic on canvas artwork with dimensions of 48 by 24 inches.
The painting is a symbolic portrait that embodies the idea of growth and productivity in all aspects of life, such as business, agriculture, academics, development, and relationships. However, the symbolism of fertility in art extends beyond this painting and into other cultures.
For instance, the Akan tribe of Ghana has a fertility doll called the Akuaba doll, which is a carved wooden figure that women use to reverse the curse of infertility. The doll is blessed and consecrated by Akan priests in atano shrines, who pray to the spirits to deliver a living child to the client. The owner of the doll must then care for it as if it were a real child, caressing, carrying, protecting, and feeding it.
When the owner becomes a mother through birth, the Akuaba doll is returned to the priest and added to the spirit’s shrine as a thanksgiving offering. Atano shrines can feature up to ten Akuaba dolls, a sign of the spirit’s power and ability to help Akan women conceive. In some cases, the Akuaba doll is kept by the family as an heirloom or given to the child as a toy.
The painting titled “Fertility Head” may not be a fertility doll, but it shares the same symbolism of growth and productivity. As the artwork hangs in any home or apartment, the artist wishes and prays that the occupants will experience unimaginable growth in all areas of their lives.
In conclusion, the symbolism of fertility in art is a powerful reminder of the human desire for growth and productivity. Whether it is through a painting or a fertility doll, the symbolism of fertility has a universal appeal that transcends cultures and generations.
