The allure of Fauves and Felines has always been a prominent theme in my work, but recently, it has evolved into a consuming obsession. From depictions of cat women engaged in fierce battles, to hybrid creatures blending kittens or tigers with butterfly wings, my paintings explore the untamed nature of wild cats and the primal energy they embody. Whether it’s the majestic tiger or the mysterious black panther, these creatures symbolize power, independence, and a sense of primal ferocity.
Incorporating elements from Chinese astrology and Tibetan art, I delve into the deeper symbolism behind these majestic animals. Tigers, revered for their bravery and authority, serve as a metaphor for enlightenment and self-confidence. In contrast, American culture often associates tigers with danger and unpredictability, reflecting the chaotic nature of the circus.
My artistic inspiration draws from literature such as Angela Carter’s “Nights at the Circus,” where women embrace their wild, feline instincts as a form of empowerment. Rejecting traditional roles and societal expectations, my paintings depict women learning from the untamed nature of tigers, forging their own paths and staging their own revolutions.
Exploring the concept of “becoming animal,” as described by philosopher Gilles Deleuze, I delve into the fluidity of identity and the transformative power of embracing our primal instincts. Through this process, I seek to challenge conventional boundaries and empower myself to conquer my fears and assert my agency.
The distinct markings of the tiger could be seen as scars, or tattoos. It’s interesting how black and yellow stripes have been adopted as symbols to convey numerous messages, mostly warning signs; an eventual diversion, hazard or possible obstruction. Stripes mean Dangerous! Watch out! Beware! Detour! The symbolism of the tiger’s stripes, with their dual meaning of warning signs or traces of trauma, mirrors my own desire to inspire fear in order to overcome feelings of powerlessness.
Drawing inspiration from William Blake’s poem “The Tyger,” I explore the primal forces that shape our world and our own innate fears and desires.
Tyger, Tyger, burning bright,
In the forest of the night.
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
(For me this means fear inducing powers the Gods cannot control)
What dread grasp.
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
(I take this to mean that we are helpless, it is too powerful, too fearsome, the fur, claw, tooth)
When the stars threw down their spears
And water’d heaven with their tears:
(The Gods gave up and grieved at humans’s incompetence and weakness)
Delving into the darker aspects of human-animal similarities, I contemplate the complexities of domestication and the primal instincts that lie beneath the surface. Just as house cats exhibit a blend of aloofness and dependence, I explore the tension between independence and vulnerability in my own life and work.
Through my fascination with felines and the untamed wild, I confront my own history of rebellion and defiance against authority. Rejecting conformism and pacification, embracing my wild, untamed nature, I seek to redefine myself on my own terms and forge my own path forward, in my art and in my life.
