Texting the gods – make your own offering to Aphrodite

Create your own goddess and reflect upon the journey of an Iron-Age votive statue in the Chau Chak Wing Museum in this creative workshop.  

Mould made clay objects were a popular form of offering in Archaic Cypriot temples. Once dedicated they allowed for continuous prayer on the behalf of the worshiper. They thus served as physical manifestations of people's gratitude and, wishes, and they reflect personal transactions with the gods. Representations of a goddess who over time would morph into the Classical Greek perception of Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and of her worshippers have been found been found in their thousands across Cyprus. The Chau Chak Wing Museum’s statue (NM2011.8) would have been left at a Cypriot sanctuary more than two and a half millennia ago.

Study the ancient production techniques used 2500 years ago and paint your own figurine with the palette of ancient Cyprus. Deepen your connection to the past through slowing down by partaking in a close study of the details of a seemingly simple artefact, that which upon closer inspection, reveals layers of complexity. 

In this session you will then get to make and decorate your own version of the goddess and reflect upon the meaning of the object to its ancient owner.