Oil, tempura and silver leaf on wood panel

50x70cm

This painting represents one side of emotional extremity: manic, narcissistic, and overconfident. It reflects a deep craving for adoration, attention, and validation, driven by an impulsive belief in success. The bird goddess rises from the bottom of the wood panel, wings spread as she ascends, symbolizing a short-lived flight. At her centre is a mosaic of traditional Romanian symbols representing abundance, hope, and strength; they help fuel her ascent, but the goddesses' lack of wisdom leads to her instability and eventual demise. The painting speaks to the impulsiveness that comes with starting something new (whether that be a project, lifestyle, or relationship) without foresight, leading to an inevitable fall.

The piece is dominated by red, with black, turquoise, and light yellow highlights that suggest feathers. Silver leaf is used throughout to unify the composition, especially in the center and upper sections, where relief and graffito techniques with tempera add texture and depth. The swirling silver patterns in the wings draw the viewer’s eye and link key elements of the piece.

Beneath the silver blocks, is the presence of embedded traditional motifs. These include wheat (abundance), a stylized “L” (linked to the painting’s title), an all-seeing eye (trust in a higher power), and ram’s horns (inner strength), symbols that connect the work to Clulow’s heritage.