Demi-ghost guardian with tangerine and kindred spirits (2018)

Kate Beynon
Demi-ghost guardian with tangerine and kindred spirits 2018
watercolour, gouache, metallic pigment and pencil on cotton rag
From the ‘Anatomical, botanical/Guardians’ series
Courtesy of the artist and Sutton Gallery, Melbourne
© Kate Beynon/Copyright Agency, 2020

The mythical characters that are the subjects of Beynon’s ‘Anatomical, botanical/Guardians’ series are surrounded by gatherings of kindred spirits and botanical motifs, worn like a protective cloak. The multi-limbed Gorgon, Demi-ghost, Alienne and Goddess spirit guardians are paired with cactus and sansevieria, tangerine, loquat, and lotus flowers and pods; inclusions inspired by the 17th century paintings of botanical artist Yun Bing from the Qing Dynasty. The healing properties and symbolic meanings of these plants provides an additional layer of defence for the guardian figures (to that provided by the diverse array of kindred spirits).