The Horse and the Bear Painting

In this painting we see a multicolored and abstracted horse and bear. The horse is seen to be nuzzling or comforting her friend- who seems disinterested and downcast. Though a fearsome creature, (with great, big extended claws), the bear is clearly absorbed in thought. His body is covered in stripes, as if he’s trapped in a cage. (Is it a cage of his own making? What will set him free)? At the feet of the bear, we see a sharp and pointy contraption- which might be thought of as a bear trap. Emanating from the trap, letters float up, some forwards and backwards, one word spells out “Happy”, (somewhat ironically). The sky above is dark and foreboding indicating danger. The outcome of this union is unknown. I think of these two characters as stand ins for the self, in particular a relationship I have. Is happiness a trick or a trap? Can different species join together harmoniously? As night comes, will the bear skulk off only to return to kill and consume his friend? Or, despite their differences, will they curl up together for warmth? Can different people with competing backgrounds align for an atypical, yet happy union? All things shall be revealed in time.