carlagoldberg

The way artist Carla Goldberg sees it, River Goddess lore has us believe that it is temperamental female whims, sometimes peaceful or fun loving and sometimes angry or lustful, responsible for the constantly changing waves and sudden and glorious storms that brew over the Hudson.

 
In her newest series of mixed media paintings, “Bodice Of The Goddess- the Secret Life of the Hudson River”, Carla Goldberg gives liberal license to the stories behind the histories, myths and legends of the Hudson River exploring the playful and vengeful sides of the River Goddesses of the Hudson. It is the interaction of Goddess affections and jealousies, in play with Earth, water and the human world that puts the viewer as witness to the radical weather phenomena unveiling before their eyes. Even Kipsy, the Hudson River’s own mythical version of the Loch Ness monster is a mere playmate for the River Goddesses. Kipsy enjoys a game of playing ball with a Goddess’ head, creating surging waves in her wake. It is the Goddesses female torsos under the watery depth of the river that form the peeks and valleys of the underwater terrain. If you’ve ever wondered why a ship sinks or a sailor falls overboard, blame it on a temperamental Goddess. It is said that the Goddesses are responsible for the waves in the river, the underwater turmoil, the current and direction of water flow as well as the gathering of storm clouds and raging winds. Anger them and they can be vengeful. Humor them and gentle ripples come from their laughter. In the winter, they sleep, but if they get too cold, take care they don’t start shivering. This is the breaking of the ice sheets. Many a ship has gone down to the silty bottom to rest forever on the belly of the Goddess, forever hers. The only visitors are the crabs seeking some treasure.