Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

ryanpg t1_ivz1e0t wrote

Very interesting. Is there a story behind this? All three animals decapitated, the wound in the side, and the disembodied wings. Has a hypnogogic feeling in that it makes perfect sense without conveying a clear meaning. I would love to hear an explanation from the artist.

If I were to guess, this is processing the loss of a pet, but that feels too literal.

14

wow_wow_meow_meow OP t1_iw1kfol wrote

It’s my version of the first flight of Pegasus following his birth from decapitated body of the gorgon, Medusa. My decapitated little snakes are representative of both his mother and her fate. Fleshy necks and exposed ribs are a big part of my work and style over the years. They’ve been my way of expressing sorrow and death. They originally started as specifically referencing depression and anxiety, but are now present in almost everything I make. A little nod to my past artworks and my ongoing struggles with bipolar disorder.

7

ryanpg t1_iw3jl20 wrote

Thanks! I'm listening to The Origins and History of Consciousness by Neumann right now and totally forgot about Pegasus's origin, and relationship with Medusa! Funny that my take was both too literal and not literary enough at once.

The pegasus reference was too obvious to mention, but the beheading was a lost detail. I love that you reference Medusa so obliquely but in such a well integrated way. Thanks for clarifying, it makes so much sense now.

I love how you made the wings disembodied. It's a great stylistic choice, and also adds to the dreamlike feeling.

A wound in the side is a very archetypal symbol: Ares and Jesus both wounded in the side by a spear, and St Paul's "thorn in the flesh," also saint Sebastian tied to a tree pierced by arrows.

Snakes are also a very primal symbol of anxiety and threat. I can see how the death of Medusa and the subsequent birth of pegasus is allegorical to both BPD and overcoming anxiety. Well done on every level, from craftsmanship, to aesthetics, to depth of meaning.

1

SympathizeNothing t1_iw0wtyq wrote

Probably a different take on Pegasus and Chimera ?

2

wow_wow_meow_meow OP t1_iw1kgj3 wrote

It is indeed a baby Pegasus!

1

SympathizeNothing t1_iw1pwm2 wrote

Great work ! Especially loved the colors. Is there a backstory/mythos to it or is it a random idea that bloomed in your mind?

2

wow_wow_meow_meow OP t1_iw2uyag wrote

If you take at look at the comment I made about yours, it shows a bit of the concept and thought process behind it! If that doesn’t answer what you’re looking for, just reply here and I’ll give you the best answer I can. Concepts are always so hard to explain

2