Steve Page - Panther

Panthers have been associated with strength, transformation and mystery for at least 3,500 years. For example, in the Egyptian book of the dead the king was to be robed in a panther skin at death, to aid the journey of his spirit into the afterlife. In some other African cultures they are associated with spiritual energy and protection.  Panthers are not a discreet species, rather they are big cats with high levels of black pigmentation in their skin. Most commonly they are either leopards (Africa and Asia) or jaguars (Central and South America), but black bobcats, lynx and tigers have also been recorded. It is estimated that around 10-12% of leopards and jaguars have this colouration. Often their ‘spots’ are still visiblewithin their coats.

My personal association is that in my early twenties I agreed to take care of a black cat called ‘panther’ and she and I were close companions for the next 14 years. Steve Page   

Medium:  Acrylic painted plaster around an aluminium armature and on a repurposed mahogany base.

Dimensions: 66cm l x 24cm w x 23cm h