Portrait of a Caged Woman by Julie Marks
The graffiti on this tree has many images. Feel free to project what you see and or tell a story about what you view in this piece. What caught my eye was the image of a woman on the top right that appears to have an eye and part of her face taped representing the unspoken view of woman around the world who are subjugated to the power of others. Jungian analysts Linda Leonard and Marion Woodman have written many books to elucidate the bonded female and mad woman archetype using mythology, archetypes and fairy tales. The image of the madwoman appears frequently in women’s dreams, according to Leonard ( The Wounded Women: Healing the Father and Daughter Relationship ). She makes a good case that the madwoman is a messenger, metaphor and model who points the way to women’s liberation. The author encourages women to acknowledge their own madwoman in order to transform themselves. She intriguingly redefines many female stereotypes—The Dark Muse, The Recluse, The Bag Lady, The Visionary, The Caged Bird—in relation to her archetype. What is especially interesting here are the examples from famous women, literature, films and Leonard’s own patients. The most remarkable include Camille Claudel, Alma Mahler, Maria Callas, Rosa Luxemburg and Rachel Carson—as well as the imaginary Medea, Mrs. Bridges, Blue Angel and Thelma and Louise. Leonard also shows how some of the real women she writes about were influenced by the fictional or mythical women. In this work, she provides a new perspective on how women can break out of culturally imposed roles. Leonard uses more examples than theorizing to make complex Jungian concepts understandable, accounting for her readability and popularity.
Tags
analysts, archetypes, caged, graffiti, jungian, leonard, mythology, transformation, tree, woman, woodman
Comments
Your words are very interesting and I think that it is important that this subject gets attention again. Your artwork is awesome. You go Julie!
Thanks Thea. I deeply appreciate your words and I agree this is a critical subject when we view the atrocities committed against women around the world. We just have to look at
Afghanistan to see the consequences of culturally imposed roles and the devastation of women.
Always great to read your texts! This piece is wonderful again Julie~ Love and Light~Moi
There is a memory of you in the image I see
A life reverberated with bliss.
You are standing proud and clear
Within the markings of this tree.
A moment not to miss.
I was looking for the woman before reading your text, and found her… but then learned that I had found a different one. She is upside-down with the two black knots as her eyes and the curved line (starting at the bottom and going to mid-photo) forming the side of her face and jaw line. I’m perplexed by the cultural phenomenon that I often see here with the women who, in order to “good, appropriate women” cover all but their faces, usually in black, and walk behind their man. When they feel that they are doing the right thing, as in their definition of being a good woman, how can they feel okay about being treated as equal human beings? Unfortunate dilemma. I realize this kind of thing widespread in different forms around the world. Strange.
Bold use of texture
I wonder if the best way for women to become empowered would be for them to go deep within to locate their essence. From this place to then look at all their conditioning as gifted rather than victimised people. I think this stands true for all people but in my opinion women are more deeply sensitive than men and in this way are more gifted.If they embrace their gift fully I believe they will gain wisdom and strength from the experiences that they have lived through.
I’m with you on this one Julie but we don’t need to look as far away as Afganistan to find evidence of women’s suppression. How about the media stereotypes which are getting more ridiculous by the hour and what these are doing to our own young girls. Great image btw :o)
I see the lady, but the first thing I saw was this: a castle, a two-horse chariot, the back view of a tall lady in a long dress, and a bird.
This is such a beautiful image. the monochromatic palette is gorgeous, looks like an etching. And a fascinating text.