Description

Carlos Quinto Kemm’s Lady of the Beasts is a richly detailed and visually complex mixed-media collage that references the archetypal Great Mother, a symbol of divine femininity, creation, and the natural world. The central figure, an imposing and regal goddess-like entity, merges seamlessly with a grand, cathedral-like structure rising from her head, possibly symbolizing spiritual ascension, wisdom, and the sacred connection between civilization and nature. Her masked face adds an air of mystery, reinforcing her role as an enigmatic and transcendent force.

Her outstretched arms morph into elaborate, curling horns or serpentine forms, evoking ancient depictions of fertility goddesses and protectors of the natural order. The surrounding imagery is a rich tapestry of mountainous landscapes, celestial bodies, and ornate floral motifs, reinforcing her role as a life-giving and all-encompassing force. Flanking her at the bottom are leopards, often associated with strength, guardianship, and primal energy, further emphasizing her dominion over the animal kingdom. Beneath her feet, a smaller deity-like figure sits in a meditative pose, perhaps representing an intermediary between the earthly and the divine, or a reflection of the cyclical nature of creation and destruction.

Through intricate layering, surrealist elements, and a fusion of historical, mythological, religious iconography, Lady of the Beasts embodies the timeless presence of the Great Mother archetype. She stands as a powerful representation of fertility, protection, and the sacred balance between nature and civilization, encapsulating the universal essence of creation.