The Serpent & The Flock: Imagery and Symbolism in Modern Art

Images: Aubrey Ramage-Lay & Carmen Llin from current and upcoming exhibitions at the gallery. Their work is the inspiration for this blog.

In the vast realm of art, symbolism often acts as a silent language, weaving narratives and evoking emotions through imagery. Among the myriad symbols employed by artists, snakes and sheep stand out for their rich and contrasting connotations. From ancient myths to contemporary canvases, these creatures have been recurrent motifs, each carrying layers of meaning that transcend time and culture. In this exploration, we delve into the symbolism of snakes and sheep in modern art, examining how artists have imbued these creatures with significance and symbolism.

Snakes:Throughout history, snakes have held a complex and multifaceted symbolism, embodying both menace and wisdom, temptation and transformation. In modern art, the serpent continues to captivate artists, serving as a potent symbol of various themes, including:

1. Temptation and Forbidden Knowledge: One of the most enduring narratives surrounding snakes is their association with temptation and the acquisition of forbidden knowledge. In contemporary art, this theme is often explored in the context of human desires and moral dilemmas. For example, in Salvador Dali's surrealist masterpiece "The Temptation of St. Anthony," the snake coils sinuously around the saint, tempting him with its forbidden allure, symbolizing the struggle against temptation and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment.
2. Rebirth and Renewal: The shedding of its skin has long been interpreted as a symbol of renewal and rebirth, making the snake a potent emblem of transformation. In modern art, artists often use the image of the snake to convey themes of personal growth and metamorphosis. Frida Kahlo, in her iconic self-portrait "Self-Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird," depicts herself with a snake wrapped around her neck, symbolizing her resilience in the face of adversity and her ability to transcend pain through artistic expression.
3. Sexuality and Sensuality: Snakes are also frequently associated with sexuality and sensuality, their sinuous forms evoking themes of desire and temptation. In contemporary art, this aspect of snake symbolism is often explored in works that challenge societal norms and conventions surrounding sexuality. For instance, the artist Kiki Smith's sculpture "Rapture" features intertwined snakes, their writhing forms suggestive of the complexities of human desire and the erotic impulse.

Sheep:In contrast to the enigmatic allure of snakes, sheep are often associated with qualities of innocence, docility, and conformity. Yet, in modern art, artists have subverted these conventional associations, infusing the image of the sheep with unexpected layers of meaning, including:

1. Conformity and Herd Mentality: The image of a flock of sheep has long been used as a metaphor for conformity and the herd mentality, where individuals blindly follow the crowd without questioning authority or societal norms. In contemporary art, this theme is often explored in works that critique mass culture and consumerism. Banksy's provocative piece "Turf War," which depicts a group of sheep wielding Molotov cocktails, satirizes the idea of mindless conformity and the destructive consequences of groupthink.
2. Innocence and Vulnerability: Despite their association with conformity, sheep are also emblematic of innocence and vulnerability, their gentle demeanor evoking feelings of sympathy and compassion. In modern art, artists often use the image of sheep to explore themes of innocence lost and the fragility of the human condition. The artist Damien Hirst's installation "Away from the Flock," which features a preserved sheep suspended in formaldehyde, invites viewers to contemplate the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of mortality.
3. Environmentalism and Sustainability: In recent years, the image of the sheep has been increasingly employed in contemporary art to address pressing issues related to environmentalism and sustainability. Artists use the sheep as a symbol of our interconnectedness with the natural world and the urgent need for conservation efforts. For example, the artist Agnes Denes's environmental artwork "Wheatfield – A Confrontation" involved planting a two-acre wheat field in downtown Manhattan, highlighting the importance of sustainable land use and the preservation of green spaces in urban environments.

In conclusion, snakes and sheep continue to be powerful symbols in modern art, each carrying with them a wealth of meaning and symbolism that resonates across time and culture. Whether depicting the serpentine allure of temptation or the gentle innocence of the flock, artists harness the imagery of these creatures to explore universal themes of human experience and provoke thought and introspection in their viewers. Through their art, they invite us to delve deeper into the hidden realms of symbolism and unlock the secrets of the serpent and the flock.