#17 (Red Dancer) c. 1940s

Stephen Mopope created this image of a 'Red Dancer' with watercolor and graphite. The dancer, adorned in vibrant red, carries a feathered fan and a decorated staff—symbols rich with meaning. We see the repeated motif of feathers, not just on the fan, but on his headpiece and as adornments on his limbs. Feathers, as a symbol, carry a deep resonance across cultures. From the wings of Hermes in classical antiquity, signifying speed and divine connection, to their use in indigenous cultures as symbols of prayer, peace and a connection to higher spirits. Notice how Mopope, while rooted in his cultural heritage, engages in a visual dialogue with broader human experiences. The feather, as a motif, transcends geographical and temporal boundaries, resurfacing in various forms, each time echoing humanity's yearning for transcendence. It connects us to the collective unconscious, where symbols are not static, but fluid, continuously evolving.