Balance c. 1898

Arthur Bowen Davies made this woodcut print called ‘Balance’. At its center, you'll find a woman in a dynamic pose, hands outstretched, supporting another woman. The act of balancing carries rich symbolism. It's not merely about physical equilibrium, but also about the delicate negotiations we make between opposing forces within ourselves and the world around us. Such imagery of women supporting one another echoes through time. Consider the classical depictions of the Three Graces or the weight-bearing figures in Renaissance art. These motifs find resurgence in unexpected places, evolving into symbols of solidarity and mutual support. The gesture of offering support, of carrying another's weight, resonates deeply within our collective psyche. This is a motif that speaks to the cyclical nature of human experience, of bearing burdens and being carried, reflecting an unbroken chain of empathy and resilience.