Title: Breakfast in Bed
Medium: Oil on Canvas
Size: 48” x 48”
Year: 2017
Occasionally, paintings come to me in dreams. This is one such painting where the meaning and symbolism was beyond my conscious understanding at the time of its manifestation. Oftentimes tigers are reduced to a symbolic representation of female sexuality. In this case, none of the tigers can be so easily be described. They are more complex and signify additional meanings that ought to be investigated. Additionally, the repeated repetiton of three and the significance of the white tiger continue to confound simple interpretations of their purpose.
Breakfast in Bed, detail I
The woman lying underneath the tiger's paw is not asleep. She is not ready to move either, however. Is it for fear or comfort that she lays still while the tiger snores in its heavy and deep sleep? It is not clear if she is afraid to move or if she is basking in the warmth of the tiger who is obviously affectionate and not interested in harming her. And yet, cats are known to change and strike without notice.
Breakfast in Bed, detail II
This tiger is clearly not tired, nor playful like the white one. It may be on the hunt and it is not clear who or what their prey will be.