Paradise Dreamworld 

Julie Bell's *Paradise Dreamworld* presents us with an image of a woman reclining alongside a lion, symbols of femininity and untamed power respectively. This pairing immediately evokes the ancient motif of the "Mistress of the Animals," a primordial goddess found in cultures from Mesopotamia to Minoan Crete. Consider the figure of the lion itself. From the guardian figures at ancient temples to the heraldic emblems of medieval royalty, the lion represents strength, courage, and dominion. Yet, here, it rests peacefully, almost subserviently, beside the woman. It brings to mind the biblical vision of a world where "the lion shall lay down with the lamb," an allusion to a state of harmony and innocence. The subconscious mind recognizes in this scene a longing for unity—a reconciliation of opposing forces. This image, like a dream, taps into our deepest desires for balance and peace, echoing through the ages in art and myth.