What do sheep and lambs symbolize to me?

Why are they one of animals that have wandered into my artwork for years?

My latest sculptures shown above, Community Spirit Meeting and Community Spirit Siblings, made me think about why sheep or lambs have repeatedly appeared in my artwork. It is in-part because they symbolize innocence, compassion, and the desire to belong. I see sheep’s gentle nature and desire to be a part of a community as positive traits. To be kind and giving may be seen as weaknesses to the ‘dog eat dog’ crowd, but I disagree. Gentleness and kindness are traits that can’t be emulated enough among people throughtout the world. These qualities help foster the sense of community that people desperately want; a quality that sheep have in abundance. It takes strength to stand together as a community, regardless of adversity. Another reason I repeatedly use sheep in my artwork is due to their sheer aesthetic beauty. They are blessed with a luscious coat, bobbing tail and sweet face. How could you not fall in love with these creatures and want to create works of art with their essence? 

Above and below are two images of Counting Sheep, another sculpture I recently created. It is a grown-up version of Community Spirit in size and attitude. Both of these sculptures can be enjoyed alone, in groups or intermixed to express and explore different ideas concerning group dynamics. 

I don’t only use sheep in my sculpture or just recently. It is often found in digital prints, serigraphic prints and early sculpture. Some examples are shown below in order from top to bottom: YinYang Series - Farm 1, Animal Engineering Series - Sheep, Zoo Series - Farm, Nursery Series - Black Sheep and Sweet Dream.

For information about other imagery that I use in my artwork, see more of my work, etc., please visit my website or my Facebook page under Zimmerman Fine Art Studio.

Be kind and be safe.

Kathleen Zimmerman