What to do with this very cool mannequin shaped wood? It occurred to me that it needed a little something. I am such a fan of the Mexican Folk Art of painted wooden hearts covered with milagros nailed down. Milagro means “miracle” and these tiny religious charms depict hearts, arms, legs, breasts, ears, animals, people praying and are generally used to thank or request religious help for a specific problem.
I decided to cover this wooden mannequin using tin I cut into shapes, other charms, old jewelry, two hearts from Mexico, one on front, one on back and of course a few milagros. As I was doing this, I realized the mannequin was looking like it was wearing tattoos. My version looking like tattoos is different, but incorporates some of the same techniques as the Mexican Folk Art.
This assemblage on the Mannequin with Tattoos is probably similar to having an arm covered in tattoos. One is more painful for sure and one is not. I chose to be the artist in my folk art way and not the person receiving the tattoo art.