Andre 

Editor: We’re looking at "Andre," an oil painting by Julie Bell. While undated, the signature indicates it's from 2006. The subject is a wolf... but with what appear to be fairy wings. There's something ethereal yet unsettling about the combination. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What strikes me immediately is the artist's choice to juxtapose traditionally opposing symbols: the wolf, often associated with wildness and untamed nature, against the delicate fairy wings representing freedom, beauty, and even fragility. Think about the historical depictions of wolves, often vilified, versus the romanticized ideal of fairies. Bell subverts those binaries. Why do you think she places them together? Editor: Perhaps to challenge our preconceived notions? To show that something considered "wild" can also possess a kind of grace or beauty? Curator: Exactly! And we can push further. Consider the cultural context in which this was created. The rise of environmental awareness, coupled with the ongoing debates surrounding animal rights and our relationship with the natural world. The figure, in its hybrid form, becomes a potent symbol for ecological discourse. Where does this image, specifically the concept of merging animal and myth, fit into fantasy art as a genre? Editor: Good question. I know the artist is mostly recognized for her fantasy art painting style. So I am wondering if the painting tries to question the perception of animals by representing them in a style where the depiction of humans is commonly accepted and glorified? Curator: I love that reading! By presenting a wild creature in a way typically reserved for human subjects, the artist encourages a deeper look at non-human life. Do you feel the portrait aspect influences that effect, too? Editor: Definitely, it almost elevates the animal's status... I never thought of those links before! Thank you! Curator: It is truly insightful how one piece can make us reflect on identity and social dynamics through the lens of the non-human.