The Army of the the Ganapati - Brigitte Saugstad

One motif I return to again and again in my work
is the image of Ganesha.

Sometimes fantastical,
sometimes abstract,
always renewed —
through my hands he emerges again and again.

Benevolent by nature,
Ganesha is also prepared to fight.

He carries weapons
to defend his mother — the Goddess — and her creation.

In response to the events of our world today,
I send an army of terracotta Ganeshas
onto the battlefield.

Ganapati is the leader of an army
of benevolent forces —
innocence, love, joy, and wisdom.

My vision is that this army
will march into the world
to stand against destruction and violence,
and to bring hope.

The Army of Ganapati