[x]

Browse More Like This

More from *Sakalah

View Gallery

Featured in Groups:

#Realm-of-Fantasy
Fantasy & Sci-fi Art Gallery

#DD-Catalogue
The Home of Daily Deviations

#HighQualityArt

#ColorFurr
Furrie Furry Animal Anthro Neko

#Hoofed-Furs
Clip-clop~

Details

Submitted: August 19, 2012
Image Size: 658 KB
Resolution: 1417×709
Submitted with: Sta.sh

Link

Thumb

Statistics

Comments: 67
Favourites: 669 [who?]
Views: 10,948 (1 today)
Downloads: 191 (0 today)

[x]

The Yule Goatby *Sakalah

Artisan Crafts / Costumery / Masks

Edit: I've changed the name from Christmas to Yule.

This mask was made during my second year at Sigtuna Folk High School. It took me 5 weeks of hard work.
The idea for this emerged in early November (2011). You know, around that time when you see gnomes and Santa Clauses absolutely everywhere. Sick and tired of those commercial Christmas icons, I started to ponder if anyone still remembered the times when Christmas wasn't all about money and material happiness.

I've always wanted to make a mask out of papier-mâché, and now I finally found a reason to make one.
The base of the mask is made of plaster to form a neatly fitting helmet around my head. After that rather clumsy endeavor, I formed the muzzle, horns and ears with steel net. And on top of that a thick layer of papier-mâché (newspaper strips and glue) stuffed with various pieces of paper and cardboard. I spent at least 2 weeks on that alone.
Once the structure was complete, I painted a layer of plaster mixed with wood glue all over to get a sturdy and water-resistant surface. The horns and face was painted with acrylic paint. The eyes got a few layers of glossy transparent nail polish to make them more life-like. The hair is synthetic, except for the beard which is made of wool.
To make it more comfortable to wear this mask without having all the weight resting on my face, I attached two elastic ribbons to the back of the mask and a belt around my waist.

But the purpose of this mask wasn't to be placed in a gallery. I dressed myself up and performed in public!

Watch my performance!

^{^{I'm sorry that 99% of the video is in Swedish.}}

The History of the Yule GoatBefore Santa Claus existed in Scandinavia, the Yule goat handed out the gifts. The history about the Yule goat is old and is believed to have its oldest roots in pre-Christian times. The goat made of straw that adorn our homes around Christmas has its heritage in old Swedish folk belief. The young woman or man whom harvested, tied together or brought home the last sheaf of the year from the fields earned a place of honour next to the master of the homestead by the Christmas dining table. The last sheaf was believed to bring in the Spirit of Harvest and its felicific powers, so according to tradition the sheaf was formed into the shape of a human figure or a goat, which was called "Stådaren" (no proper translation available, sorry). This figure was handled with homage and respect to bring a good harvest upcoming year. The straw goat has its strongest heritage in Dalsland and Värmland (provinces in Sweden), where people put the goat on, next to or underneath the

<--- In case you want to know more about this goat.

Daily Deviation

Given 2012-09-12

The Christmas Goat by *Sakalah a beautifully made mask. ( Suggested by ^3wyl and Featured by `UnicornReality )

love 6 6

joy 3 3

wow 1 1

~~mad 0 0~~

~~sad 0 0~~

~~fear 0 0~~

~~neutral 0 0~~

~RufusReginald Apr 22, 2013 Filmographer

Phenomenal.

~Aldiinorth Feb 26, 2013

Pretty, pretty and stylish as well. Did you visit Sigtuna during the holidays by the way?

~Myrling Dec 21, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

Oh my god...! I love it! I love you! I LOVE that video!! <3
I'm also infatuated with that old Julbock tradition and made a goat-mask myself in school, but it's not NEARLY as neat as this wonderous creation!

Pleeeease tell me that you will perform with this outfit this year too? Gingerbreads for the kids and a remarkable experience for the parents! ;D And maybe a nostalgic feeling for the old folks?

~Elephant-Octopus Nov 27, 2012

Thank you for making and posting very cool! I wish people would take more pride in their unique traditions instead of being so corporate.

~CaptainAirheart Oct 30, 2012 Student General Artist

_{Ignore that comment, I just noticed the slits on the front, good idea!}

~CaptainAirheart Oct 30, 2012 Student General Artist

_{This is beautifully made, may I ask how you can see out of it? I've been thinking about making my own goat mask...}

*Darkstar1013 Sep 15, 2012 Professional General Artist

As a multi-media artist. I sometimes do masks and I have to say that this one is exceptional. For your first, it is outrageous. Keep working you have a gift.

*Angie-Pictures Sep 13, 2012

Awesome work! Congratulations on the DD!

~the-new-Shadow Sep 13, 2012 Hobbyist Traditional Artist

You'll defenately scare the sh't out of everyone who sees ya

*Leathurkatt-TFTiggy Sep 12, 2012 Hobbyist General Artist

I watched the video, that was pretty awesome. You should do that every year and continue spreading the word about this story and tradition. Such wonderful cultural histories and icons should never be left to fade into lost and distant memory, they should be kept alive. Keep up the awesome work and good luck to you.

More from *Sakalah

Featured in Groups:

Details

Statistics

The Yule Goatby *Sakalah

Daily Deviation

The Journal Portal

Polls

What is your preferred drawing software?

deviantART [dee·vee·un'nt·ART]

Keep in Touch!

Deviousness

Add Media

Style