Lisa’s Paradise 

Julie Bell presents us with ‘Lisa’s Paradise,’ a painting teeming with symbols of fertility and harmony reminiscent of classical allegories. Here, a nude woman amidst an array of creatures evokes the archetype of the Earth Mother, a potent symbol of nature’s abundance. Consider the iguana she rides, a modern twist on the dragons and beasts ridden by deities of old. The serpent-like form is an ancient symbol, appearing as the Ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, representing cyclical renewal. Meanwhile, the polar bear, jaguar, and peacock echo the emblematic animals in heraldry and mythology, each a symbol of power, beauty, and vigilance. The hummingbird she gestures towards is a symbol of joy and healing, a motif that transcends time and place, recurring in various cultures from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, constantly shifting in meaning. These animals tap into a collective memory, stirring subconscious desires for unity with nature and a return to the perceived innocence of Eden. In essence, the artwork is not just a visual spectacle but a powerful force that engages our emotions on a deep, subconscious level, underscoring the cyclical progression of symbols as they resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.