Planet A2023

Stephen Fitzgerald

"Don't stop now - Lets keep evolving"

Our children understand that an earth best suited to human habitation is dying at our own hand. They know that if our politicians do not act quickly, the earth will not be resuscitated. Those are the facts, well-established by scientists, regardless of what some may think and regardless of what we are told.

Description

The compelling narrative woven into this profoundly beautiful work echoes across the planet and, in a single piece of salient art, captures the story of our time. A modern day art/education piece painted oil on canvas (80cm x 120cm) to last hundreds of years, for the historic record, and will be donated to the first state or national art museum to exhibit it. The work has been entered into the Art Gallery of NSW 2023 Sulman Prize for that purpose.

A modern day interpretation of "The Garden of Earthly Delights" by Hieronymus Bosch (1490 - 1510). The left side of the artwork, with the hidden green apple, represents innocence and the beauty of unspoiled nature in the Garden of Eden. The right side with the gilded golden snake slinking away, after wreaking havoc on God's creation, suggests Judgment. The main subject, the "Goddess of Love" together with "The Three Sisters" monoliths, represent humanity holding back the flood waters and can be viewed as our struggle to save paradise.

From mythology and inspired by Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus", the Goddess of Love emerges from the water after her birth when fully grown. A goddess representing virtuous humanity and the harmonious interaction with nature. Designed to get your attention, her appeal is sensory and accessible but, this time, the “Goddess of Love” is on a mission to save what she loves.

The opposing mountains, leaning towards each other, represent a monumental real life battle and portray the environmental and humanitarian devastation of rampant corporate greed, on one side, in opposition to the natural world and society on the other. Riddled with metaphors begging interpretation, the dream and animal spirit meanings are just a small part of this expansive performance and brush lightly over the surface of a much deeper and profound social massage.

The main message being that our exploitation and destruction of the planet is starting to come unhinged as we realize that we are also destroying ourselves.

VANISHING POINT: A hallmark of Renaissance image-making and Western perspective. Depth to the far horizon suggesting a storyline or mythology going back into the distant past and, in this case, a story projecting well into the future. In this work, looking over the Goddess of Love's shoulder, a rising misty ocean sits at the composition’s vanishing point and, with a heavy atmosphere and clouds looming on the horizon, prompts us into deeper contemplation of man's far reaching impact on our world.

SYMBOLISM: As one example, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world and represents the fossil fuel industries domination of the planet. Big Ben, The Sydney Opera House and the Statue of Liberty are representative and can be viewed as progressive nations rising up out of the oil sands and leaning towards the natural world, as one interpretation. AUKUS may be another.

The work is a great discussion piece and there's something in it for everyone. Like Banksy, when words aren’t working, it becomes more than just a wonderful work of art, it's a compelling visual narrative that, at a glance, tells a story that could shift public opinion to help save the natural world along with humanity and, that’s my motivation.

Some of the dream & animal spirit meanings in this artwork

EAGLE: Messenger of the gods.

REEDS: In mythology the reed represents the human will and it takes a strong will not to be moved by worldly ambitions or sensuality but, to surrender personal interests to that of the universal greater good.

LILY PADS: Lily pads represent the cycle of life and our own fleeting fragility and beauty, from our birth, through our prime, to our death. Though rooted in mud, we can rise to blossom in sunlight above the water.

LOTUS FLOWER: The lotus blossoms when the human heart opens itself to detachment from the material world, rising to enlightenment through purity of mind, body, actions and speech.

GHOST GUM: Symbol of the Australian bush and spirit and may also represents the “Tree of Knowledge (Australia)”.

KANGAROO: Indicates gratitude and abundance and, speaks about family, balance, and strength. Some of the things needed to sustain a successful and happy life. In this case they also represent us.

KOALA: The masters of mindfulness - Move slowly and choose wisely. The koala spirit teaches us the core lesson of life on earth. In this case the Koala is clinging to a sawn-off tree branch and is desperately appealing for help.

WOMBAT: An aboriginal totem passed down by family members of a clan as a spiritual symbol meaning that you need to be aware of returning to your family when your work is done.

CRANE: Symbolizes using your voice uniquely to expose secrets and help others on their path.

HUMMINGBIRD: A symbol of beauty and grace are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck and joy - Also, you have the ability to do far more than you think.

BUTTERFLY: The butterfly brings lightness, happiness and colour to your life. A metamorphosis has begun and like the Monarch butterfly's three generation continental return journey to the same location, you are tuned in to the ancient wisdom of the ancestors.

LORIKEET: The symbolic character traits of the Lorikeet include communication skills, recognition of your soul mate, the love of communication and language, ability to see every view-point and, respect of other people’s opinions. In this case, the Lorikeet also represents people with those qualities being crucified.

CASSOWARY: Maintains a lush green forest and keeps it alive. Represents strength and a strong will to fight to protect what is most important with a mix of defence and offense.

DRAGONFLY: Change, transformation and being open to new experience. Something big is unfolding.

CICADA: The embodiment of rebirth after living so long in the dark. Sends a loud clear message once awakened.

LADYBUG: This spirit meaning symbolizes happiness and a playful spirit and brings an instant sense of pure delight to reminds us that the small things in life are worth protecting and make it all worthwhile.

CRAYFISH: Determined attitude to achieve a goal that is annoying or off-putting to others. Symbolizes protection, regeneration and the power to transform. Along with the Platypus, the crayfish is a Goddess of Love protector and mascot.

PLATYPUS: Teaches us to swim through our emotions and be aware of our uniqueness. It dares us to be our-self and reassures us that no matter what others think, don’t be afraid to be who we really are.

FISH: The water element connection gives fish spirits the connotation of the subconscious, emotions, healing and purification with purposeful movement and mindful independence.

FROGS: This spirit symbolizes a transitional phases to remind us that change is a natural and positive part of life.

TADPOLES: Awareness of the simplicity of life and reminds us there are those who have not reached full maturity or understanding.

MOUNTAIN IN THE SNOW: Symbolises our dreams, goals and aspirations sparking the enthusiasm to push us to active deeds and to achieve great goals.

THE THREE SISTERS: West of Sydney, this Blue Mountains icon represents Australians working together to hold back the impending floodwaters of climate change and global warming in an effort to save paradise.

WATERFALL: Washing away the past and rejuvenation.

RAINBOW: Represents an inner awakening and hope for the future.

ROCKY GROUND: Walking over rocky ground symbolizes a difficult road ahead made more dangerous walking through water.

GOLD NUGGET: Symbolizes our quest to perfect, illuminate and refine ourselves. On the other side, the gold nugget found in this river bed suggests we will dig up, dredge and destroy our beautiful environment looking for more driven by selfish greed.

BLUE STONE: The Goddess of Love is pointing to the blue stone representing royalty and power, to remind us that all previous great civilization went under and were destroyed by the greed of the ruling elite.

FIG LEAF: A sign of blessing and security and more importantly, it's a biblical metaphor for how we should recognize the sign of the times when good is overshadowed by evil and the fig tree is stripped bare and fruitless. That's when we need to work towards creating a better world.