< back

Shannon Heylin

"I have been striving to elevate the female form as a subject matter from the art historical and voyeuristic male gaze that objectifies women. In The Protector, I am empowering the female form through this towering fox spirit in a surreal landscape. Foxes are represented in many cultures as tricksters or thieves. Commonly the fox is viewed in a negative light, but diving deeper into folklore reveals that many stories of the fox associate them with wisdom and helping humans as shapeshifters. For example, a female spirit would transform into a fox to protect women from evil men. Thus, the two-faced association, but reveals how the fox spirit is used as a wise guardian and protector for women. In The Protector, the female is not being belittled or objectified by men, but towering above the landscape and walking proudly. The color palette furthers this surreal atmosphere and is intentionally ambiguous with the race of the female figure so that anyone can identify with her and find protection and empowerment from it."

The Protector, acrylic on canvas, 16x18, 2020

< back to map

Shannon Heylin

Painless, Oil paint and acrylic gesso on canvas, 11×14 inch, 2020

This piece is my reaction to my own trauma and the global turmoil that our country and the world has been experiencing. From the pandemic to other political, social, and human issues. Here, she lays, not being a victim to her circumstances, but raising her head proudly in spite of it. The use of unnatural colors in my work is a recurring stylistic choice but in this case, is able to allow the figure not to have a race, so anyone can relate to her. The viewer may interpret the content however they please to, I just hope that it empowers them and that they are able to connect in some way emotionally to the piece. This painting is a reclamation of power; we may not be able to control our circumstances and what happens to us, but we can control how we react. We do not have to be weak, silent, or complacent, instead, we can be proud, resilient, and strong.