For centuries, the horse has represented freedom, nobility, power and grace. I painted this horse in a deep bow, a realistic but unusual and unnatural position.
I hope that seeing the powerful, graceful horse in this position makes viewers stop, question the image, and think about their responses.
What is the nature of control here?
Has someone trained the horse to willingly bow like this, or have they forced or coerced the horse into this position?
There is no strapping in sight; no head collar or side reins tying the horse in place. The horse's expression looks calm, and their body free from strain.
Is this an image of love and trust; or of acquiescence? A broken spirit?
Yield: on power, trust, grace, control, beauty, coercion and freedom.
Kaff-eine paints public artwork globally, while pursuing realist portraiture in her Melbourne studio. Combining creativity with a strong social conscience, her art projects invite audiences to engage with social and political issues.
She was the first female Australian artist to paint portraits on disused grain silos for Victoria’s Silo Art Trail, and the first Australian artist to create a pyrotechnic sculpture for Mexico’s international fireworks festival.
Recently she painted Australia’s first large public sistergirl (transgender Tiwi Islander) mural in Darwin, and collaborated with Larrakia friend Mimmim to create the first female Larrakia artist mural on Larrakia Country, Northern Territory.
Kaff-eine enjoys painting solo, but takes special interest in creating collaborative artworks and projects.