Flamingo Garden 

Julie Bell painted “Flamingo Garden,” sometime after 1958, with an unknown medium on an unknown support. Bell, an American fantasy artist, frequently explores themes of female empowerment and the natural world in her work. In this piece, Bell challenges traditional representations of the female nude by situating her subject within a surreal, vibrant landscape teeming with flamingos. The woman’s muscular back and confident posture convey strength, contrasting with the often passive and vulnerable depictions of women in classical art. The close proximity of the woman and the birds conjures an intimate connection with nature. Bell said of her work that she strives to explore "the power of women, and the glory of nature." “Flamingo Garden” invites us to reflect on the relationship between femininity, strength, and our environment, while it celebrates the beauty and resilience of the natural world.