The Dilemma of the Jaguar Queen
I have chosen a piece this month that reflects the angst of uncertainty and division we still face post-election. It also brings attention to the responsibility of making good choices in the use of power. I sketched this piece in 2007 and executed the final sculpture in 2011, in San Diego. However, its most interesting history came about during the naming session, attended by a number of prominent scientists at my Santa Cruz studio, in 2019. Our discussion initially centered on the myth of Circe, an immortal nymph with magical powers. She falls in love with a sea-god, who spurns her for another nymph. She then transforms the nymph into a horrific sea monster who becomes the scourge of all sailors. The myth of Circe, recently reiterated by Madeleine Miller in her book, Circe, teaches that we can use our powers for good or evil. The discussion progressed to the notion that the central image in the sculpture depicts a Jaguar Queen. She feels torn about accepting the uncertain offering of a bow from the god on the left side of the piece. Several mesoamerican cultures have god-like, jaguar figures that invoke this animal’s ability to move between worlds: Comfortable on land, in trees, and in water, jaguars can hunt day or night and often sleep in caves, places associated with deceased ancestors.
In The Jaguar Queen’s Dilemma, she must decide whether to accept a miraculous technology that can provide great good for the community through hunting… or divide the community by going to war. Much like Prometheus with his gift to humanity of fire or Circe in the use of her magical powers, the Jaguar Queen in the sculpture is torn, hence the dilemma.
This sculpture speaks to the heart of our current dilemma: Will we use our powers to establish a better world or to create greater chaos and conflict?
I hope this piece resonates with you at this crucial time in our history. I look forward to hearing your comments as we enter this deeply spiritual and potentially transformative time of year.
Finally, a brief note: pictures from my latest firing will arrive next month!
