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Award-winning painted decorative gourd art by McKenzie Birnie

The Cradle - Prayer for Iraq

In late 2002, as America prepared to invade Iraq, McKenzie Birnie created this artwork as a prayer for the people of Iraq who dwell in the Cradle of Civilization, the land of Inanna. A story of death and rebirth from one of the oldest civilizations on earth.

In January of 2003, McKenzie entered this piece in the annual Exposition d’Art open juried art show held by the International Interior Design Association in Santa Ana, California. The Cradle won "Best in Show" title among approximately 250 entries, a testament to the artistic merit of this and all of McKenzie's gourd art.

Be sure to read the story of Inanna

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Painted gourd art in the online gallery of American artist McKenzie Birnie

The Cradle - Bottom
Mixed Media Gourd Art

The Cradle
Mixed media art on gourd - 18" x 13"
The Story of Inanna In the desert of Iraq where the Euphrates moves toward the Persian Gulf, the barest remains of ramparts and towers are visible in the moving sands. Inanna descended through seven gates, each of whose guards removed one piece of her royal raiment. Inanna's journey led her down the steps to the underworld, the domain of her dark sister Ereshkigal. At the seventh gate she is stripped of her robe, killed by her sister and hung from a hook. Her maidservant, worried by her absence, sneaks down, finds the body, sprinkles it with the Water of Life and revives Inanna. When Inanna reemerges, the world which has withered in her absence, greens and is fruitful again.

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