This painting by Laurie Johns, titled Dress for Success, seems very dreamlike. Unlike dream paintings from the earlier centuries, there is transparency to the projection of the psyche and an overlap of the mundane and the fantasy. In that way, it has a contemporary, film-like aspect. The narrative that is built into this painting verges on a fairy tale. It seems very Cinderella, although, the toiling character looks more like a priest of some kind. And, the housemaid looks more ‘maidish’ than maidenly. This gives the painting a different sort of tale, one that reaches into a different part of our psyche.
Is anyone familiar with the symbolism behind the rake? I've seen this symbol in Liz Bashore's work too. Is this something that will be, like the turkey vulture, a SD specific symbol?
I can't vouch for the accuracy of this, or if Liz intended this meaning, but I read somewhere that the rake is said to signify "laboring in the earth and depending on providence."
I thought that she was reminding me of something. The use of transparency would seem even more important to this piece if it was referencing photography. I am entirely creeped out by the priest/rake. He seems to be a symbol of patriarchical domination.
That is interesting. In Medieval artworks the righteous are always upright and the swarthy are typically depicted as having rounded shoulders. So, this hunched over figure look a bit like Igor from Frankenstein movies. Also, the word ‘rake’ and ‘libertine’ are synonyms in some cases. I liked the duplicity of the image. It made it more real for me.
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Laurie Johns @
Archival Elements
120 W. 11th Street, suite 1
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
This painting by Laurie Johns, titled Dress for Success, seems very dreamlike.
Unlike dream paintings from the earlier centuries, there is transparency to the projection of the psyche and an overlap of the mundane and the fantasy. In that way, it has a contemporary, film-like aspect. The narrative that is built into this painting verges on a fairy tale. It seems very Cinderella, although, the toiling character looks more like a priest of some kind. And, the housemaid looks more ‘maidish’ than maidenly. This gives the painting a different sort of tale, one that reaches into a different part of our psyche.
Is anyone familiar with the symbolism behind the rake? I've seen this symbol in Liz Bashore's work too. Is this something that will be, like the turkey vulture, a SD specific symbol?
I can't vouch for the accuracy of this, or if Liz intended this meaning, but I read somewhere that the rake is said to signify "laboring in the earth and depending on providence."
I erred when I referred to Liz. I meant the rake in Laurie's painting. Sorry about that.
The figure in the center makes reference to Cindy Sherman's B series photographs, if that helps
I thought that she was reminding me of something. The use of transparency would seem even more important to this piece if it was referencing photography. I am entirely creeped out by the priest/rake. He seems to be a symbol of patriarchical domination.
no, not all...I mean he is what you imagine him to be, but in my mind he is the zen gardner...raking despite the distractions
That is interesting. In Medieval artworks the righteous are always upright and the swarthy are typically depicted as having rounded shoulders. So, this hunched over figure look a bit like Igor from Frankenstein movies. Also, the word ‘rake’ and ‘libertine’ are synonyms in some cases. I liked the duplicity of the image. It made it more real for me.
He does have a burdensome role doesn't he. Thanks for leaving so many comments on the sight. You have lots of intellectual energy.
I found this site using [url=http://google.com]google.com[/url] And i want to thank you for your work. You have done really very good site. Great work, great site! Thank you!
Sorry for offtopic
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