Whitewall Galleries

Collecting Outside the Stable Capricorn Through a pastoral idyll walks the figure of a young beauty. This is Capricorn, framed within her element of Earth. Her bare feet in contact with the earth symbolising her well grounded disposition. Behind her is a tranquil scene of ten goats grazing, the shape of the herd describing the constellation of Capricorn, the sea goat, the tenth sign of the zodiac. The verdant and fertile countryside holds the promise of harvest. The presence of Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn and Roman god of farming and abundance is everywhere. The figure herself is placed by a traditional dry stone wall which is both practical in its construction and handsome in its craft. Saturn is the planet of structure, leading those born under this sign towards organisation and responsibility, always conscious of the limitations of life. Their pragmatism and willingness to utilise all the tools at their disposal, have earned them the key phrase of ‘I Use’. The Capricorn colours of dark green, charcoal grey, and chocolate brown create a restful palette. The unassuming stable refers to the ancient Greek belief that sin accumulated throughout the year causing darkness to increase. Together with the sun’s descent and pause at the Solstice, this was referred to as the Augean Stable, where they considered the sun to be stabled during the year. The figure has been collecting her sign’s flower, the camellia. One has fallen to the ground, and as a neat and methodical Capricorn she motions to return to the dropped flower, prudent not to waste its potential. On her finger is a ring of garnet, her birthstone. Her reserved expression and tentative pose reveal more than just an absence of self-belief. She hints, through her association with Saturn, at a reward yet to be earned. Her ankle, demurely covered in the long dress, lifts off the ground with an almost teasing provocation. There is the merest glimpse in the way she holds herself of a possessive nature.