Kim Laurel

About Kim Laurel

Kim Laurel is a Chicago based mixed media artist, illustrator and graphic designer and has exhibited in the United States, Canada and England since 1977. She studied at Oberlin College, the Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland State University and Illinois State University. Her works of art are part of various public and corporate collections. Laurel is a long-standing member of Woman Made Gallery, the Mid America Print Council, the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative and the Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art.

"My work investigates symbolic forms and shapes. Icons and totems with personal significance are symbolized in this private world. I love making images with plant, animal, kimono and kite forms and have found that mixed media collage is the most authentic and subjective tool to express my voice."

The Mokosh Shrine and Story

The Slavic Mother Goddess Mokosh was worshipped in Ukraine up until the 10th Century C.E., with instances of her survival into the 19th Century when she was worshipped as breast-shaped boulders or "Mokosh stones" with rule of birth and death, and peasant rituals and festivals right down to the present day retain features of Mokosh worship. Throw in the native religion revival of Slavic neo-pagans today and Mokosh is the oldest continuously worshipped European goddess whose name is remembered. 

She may have originated as an indigenous goddess among Finno-Ugric tribes. Her name means "She is Wetness," indicating association with rivers and rainfall though it is also an erotic allusion. She was noted as a spinner and weaver, and for her far-reaching travels. 

Throughout Eastern Europe she was Artemis-like as a protector of women and orchestrator of women's destinies. During Kiev/Kyev's christianization, citizens were warned against the worship of Mokosh, but by changing her name to St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa (a personification of the day of Christ's crucifixion with many of Mokosh's attributes) or even as the Virgin Mary, it was not possible to root out Mother Goddess worship in one guise or another.

In Siberia, primitively designed "Mokosh dolls" are carved for sale to tourists or gifts for girls. In Ukraine, cloth Mokosh folk dolls are common girls' toys (the dolls can look like basic peasant girls or grandmotherly babooshkas since Mokosh has maidenly and crone aspects) or with more unusual designs serving as family luck charms. 

The Ukrainian Mokosh doll shown has a spiral face, the spiral symbolizing the Earthmother. The embroidery on her tunic includes the Tree of Life growing from a Mokosh symbol. Similarly embroidered or painted wall-art of Mokosh is hung to protect homes and kitchens.

How to Help the Ukraine

Please consider donating to help improve the welfare and conditions of Ukrainians through evacuation of refugees and distribution of supplies and to help rebuild and support Ukrainians on their path to wellness and democracy.  

Web: www.kimlaurel.com

Instagram: @brevitycodevisual