Primeval 2020

Jo Baer created 'Primeval' using oil on canvas. Towering cliffs and a figure standing with outstretched arms evoke ancient, elemental forces at play. The cliffs themselves are symbols of the sublime, echoing the romantic landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich. The gesture of the figure is reminiscent of the ‘orant,’ an early Christian symbol of prayer and supplication. The pose appears in ancient Egyptian art, where it represents reverence and connection to the divine. Like the serpent shedding its skin, this gesture has sloughed off old meanings, resurfacing with new layers of significance. It reflects a collective, subconscious yearning for transcendence, resonating in modern times as an archetypal plea. This yearning engages us on a profound level, and speaks to a timeless human desire for connection with the mystical and spiritual. Through her use of symbols and gestures, Baer invites a cyclical progression, where symbols resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings across time.