The King’s Sceptre 

Julie Bell made “The King’s Sceptre” using oil paints on canvas, a classic combination with a long history. But notice how she uses the medium. It is not just about depicting the subject matter – a gorilla in a natural setting – but also about creating an immersive experience. Bell's technique, with its attention to the texture of the gorilla’s fur and the surrounding foliage, invites us to consider our relationship with the natural world, particularly non-human primates. The detailed brushwork is very labor intensive, requiring patience and skill. But what is the labor behind this image really about? We might think about conservation efforts, the global trade in exotic animals, and the way that we consume images of nature. These are the real social contexts that give the image its meaning. By engaging with both art and the world around us, we can expand our understanding of how they intersect.