Sandra Yagi’s artistic exploration delves into the fascinating intersection of life and its ephemerality, manifesting in captivating paintings of skeletons adorned with delicate butterfly wings. Her fascination with anatomy, particularly the human skeleton, transcends the macabre, becoming a conduit for imaginative narratives set within a whimsical “Faerie Realm”. This collection, showcased at San Francisco’s Modern Eden Gallery, presents a unique perspective where skeletal figures engage with vibrant flora and fauna, prompting contemplation on the cyclical nature of existence.
For Yagi, the skeleton serves as a potent symbol of mortality, its subtle forms and postures capable of conveying a spectrum of emotions. By the seemingly simple addition of butterfly wings, she introduces a powerful duality, merging the finite with the potential for renewal. This central motif embodies the continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and a subsequent rebirth, a concept deeply embedded in the artist’s vision of a fantastical world touched by the reality of mortality. Her inspiration stems from a reflection on childhood fantasies of perfect, unending happiness juxtaposed with the eventual understanding of life’s inherent imperfections and inevitable conclusion.
Yagi’s creative process is sparked by diverse visual inputs, ranging from classic fairy tale illustrations to the works of admired artists and photographs of unusual creatures. These initial ideas are meticulously developed, with the artist employing photographs of a cast human skeleton and digital posing software to ensure anatomical accuracy in her skeletal figures. Larger compositions are carefully planned using digital painting software before the application of oil paints onto the panel. This chosen medium allows for a deliberate and detailed approach, perfectly suited to the contemplative nature of Yagi’s work, which ultimately encourages a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world and the preciousness of our limited time.
More info: Website, Instagram.
