Khnum

“Monna Ke Nku…” Statement

Sue Clark

Sheep have long stood at the crossroads of innocence and wisdom, obedience and defiance, sacrifice and power. My works as part of the Monna Ke Nku exhibition explore the sheep’s symbolism in mythology and language, looking at ancient deities, nursery rhymes, and cautionary tales. From the Egyptian god Khnum, who shaped mankind on his potter’s wheel, to the deceptive "wolf in sheep’s clothing" these artworks delve into the dual nature of sheep as both protectors and the deceived.

The apparent innocence of Mary Had a Little Lamb, contrasts sharply with the cunning of hidden wolves, revealing how society often frames purity and manipulation. A variation on the children’s nursery rhyme is the subject of one drawing, referring to domestic violence and emasculation where relationships may not appear as they seem.

Mary had a handsome sheep, his fleece was white as snow, And everywhere that Mary went, her sheep was forced to go.

Khnum, the divine creator, reminds us of the transformative power of the ram, while common sayings such as “following like sheep,” “the black sheep,” and “lamb to the slaughter “expose deep-seated ideas of conformity, rebellion, and fate.

My drawings question the roles we play: Are we the shepherds, the flock, or something hidden beneath borrowed wool? These artworks reimagine familiar stories, urging us to see beyond the surface and explore the shifting line between guidance and control, innocence and cunning. In mythology and metaphor alike, the sheep is never just a sheep.