The human – non-human animal relationship is an overarching theme of my art practice. ‘Argus’ from the Deities Series explores the Greek Mythology of Argus, a faithful servant of Goddess Hera. Argus, the watchman, was a giant with many eyes, and upon his murder, Hera is said to have transferred his many eyes to the tail of a peacock to honor Argus. The peacock is symbolic of re-growth and rejuvenation, royalty, respect, honor, and integrity.
In the ancient world, humans were not just close to animals but, in most cases, deeply dependent on them. They were embedded in local culture and religion, often seen as gods, and sometimes fused with humans to unlock universal secrets beyond human limitations. However, In the modern world, most religions have abandoned the concept of human-animal divinities. Our Gods now are purely anthropomorphic.