RUSALKA - WOMAN WITH FISH Print

Based on Slavic Folklore as well as my family connections with Slavic culture, Rusalka - a Siren (the main character in my work), waits provocatively underwater, with one hand on hip, and the other running through her red curly locks, effortlessly dancing among fish in the depths ready to emerge to seduce her next male victim. This buxom, large breasted entity, inspired by the statuesque women portrayed in Picasso’s work (together with the fish) is created using oil paint on glass and drawing techniques. Please see Rusalka’s historic background below. Rusalka : Historic Background of the Character : In Slavic folklore, Rusalka is a female entity frequently associated with water; a siren who is often depicted as a mermaid in modern popular culture, particularly in Slavic language-speaking countries. In the past, she is often portrayed as a malicious spirit towards mankind, specifically the men who fall for her beauty. Folklorists suggest that the Rusalki originate from Slavic paganism where they may have been seen as kind-hearted, compassionate spirits who brought fertility to the land when in the Spring, they emerged from the depths of the water to transfer life-giving moisture to the fields thus nurturing the crops. Prior to the 19th century, Rusalki were not considered as evil entities, often appearing as naked and beautiful maidens but after the 1800’s Rusalki were portrayed as large breasted dangerous beings, no longer alive. It was believed that the Rusalki were young women, who either committed suicide by drowning due to an unhappy marriage (possibly jilted by their lovers or physically and mentally abused by their older husbands) or who were violently drowned (especially after becoming pregnant with unwanted child). Thereafter, the soul of a young woman who had died in or near a river or lake would return as the undead to haunt the waterway and avenge her death by seducing and luring young men, by either her looks or her voice. It is said that she would take the men into the depths of the water where she would entangle their feet with her long hair (often red) and submerge them; her body instantly becoming slippery so that the victim could not cling on to her body in order to reach the surface. The victim would soon drown, and on some occasions, she would tickle them to death, as she laughed. It is also believed that, like a chameleon, Rusalka could change her appearance to match the tastes and desires of the man that she was about to seduce.

Printmaking:Monotype on Glass

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:21.9 W x 33.3 H x 0 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.