Water Carrier, Doug Warnock; Craig Dan Goseyun

The artist, Dan Craig Goseyun, is a member of the San Carlos Eastern White Mountain Apache tribe. Goseyun has explained that he intends his sculptures to be reflections of past mysteries, and a reminder of the need for balance, of living harmoniously with nature. The Water Carrier was made from bronze, a permanent material that will last hundreds of years. This work signifies the importance of water to all living things.

When I look at Craig Dan Goseyun’s “Water Carrier” sculpture, for some strange reason, I feel soothed. This well-rounded, interesting sculpture stands 8 feet tall outside of Spooner hall and was dedicated by Goseyun for its centennial. Goseyun was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1960 and when in grade school, developed a major interest in art. He took an art major in college and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where he created Water Carrier and other sculptures. This sculpture arouses many questions within me. What is it supposed to be? Why the Jug on top? What is the mood that Goseyun is trying to create? What is the purpose of the holes on the sides? These questions may be opinionated through different people, but remain unanswered to me. This has been Bowen with another Bulldog Podcast.

Imagine a small child walking on a gravel path. She closes in on a rushing stream while many younger children walk in the same direction. In this group they travel together, yet they stand alone. Surroundings pass by quickly, all of them looking drab. Tiny clusters of yellow grass cover the ground, the pebbles move under the child's callused feet. The branches of the tall flat trees emerge in sickly green leaves. Her clothing is tattered and torn, and the scalding summer air slowly burns her dry throat, yet she walks on. This girl lives in a 3rd world country, and makes this journey every day. She walks miles every hour and ventures far for the water that will soothe her stinging throat. She is the Water Carrier, unable to escape from these duties, yet so unwilling to continue, and only the calming sound of the rushing stream moves the girl forward; without it, her dying throat would never cool. Craig Dan Goseyun is Native American, and has a strong connection with nature. His father was in the Air Force and traveled often. As a result of frequent moving, Craig Goseyun was born in Hawaii. When his father went overseas to Vietnam, his family moved to the San Carlos Apache Reserve. At his many schools he was exposed to art and amazed his peers with the drawings he created. The University of Kansas purchased the Water Carrier in 1994, and it has stood there since. The sculpture is 8 feet tall and made of bronze. There are many different colors that make the smooth surface look rough and cloudy. The flowing etchings in the side make it look beautiful, yet simple. At first sight, this intriguing creation almost looks like a person, with the curve of a rounded head smoothing down into a tall and thin body. Further study made me wonder if this artist was actually creating a vase, meant to hold water. I chose to believe that the artist was shaping a person, and the trees and grass around it were meant to symbolize the surroundings passing by the children. This gorgeous, dark sculpture looks to be a lonely little girl walking around unknowingly. She is a sad, confined, and broken little girl who wants only freedom and safety. She is going toward the one thing she knows, which is the rushing stream. Her goal is to return home. Her only job is the one that breaks her down. She can’t escape, so she must walk, and she will never fly. All she can do is carry the water and return home. This sad and confined small child is the Water Carrier. This has been Elaine Landers with another Bulldog podcast.