Terpsichore

Object/Artifact

-

anonymous...

Name/Title

Terpsichore

Entry/Object ID

2021.85.7

Category

American Art, 1945 to Today

Acquisition

Accession

2021.85

Source or Donor

Enamel Arts Foundation

Acquisition Method

Gift

Credit Line

Crocker Art Museum, gift of Enamel Arts Foundation Collection

Notes

Enamel Arts Foundation Collection, gift of the artist

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Martha Banyas

Role

Artist

Date made

1981

Time Period

20th Century

Dimensions

Height

7-3/4 in

Width

7-5/8 in

Depth

1-1/4 in

Material

Enamel on copper

Location

Category

Display

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Website Medium

Label

Enamel on copper

General Notes

Note Type

Artist Statement

Note

Retrieved from Enamel Arts Foundation website: [https://www.enamelarts.org/terpsichore/] Banyas frequently juxtaposes humans and animals as metaphors for elemental natural forces. Describing this piece, she said: “It explores the figure as ‘self’ enmeshed in foliage and making a dance with a snake. It illustrates my early fascination with opposing forces.” In Greek mythology, Terpsichore, one of the nine muses, was the goddess of dance. Banyas has also described this work as the ‘dance of life.’ [IR 06/23/2025]