Monstrous
Whilst not necessarily evil, monsters bring to mind ‘disorder’. They are an antidote to dark times and their creation is a form of mastery. Encountered in stories, films, video games, paintings or sculptures, they make us feel more alive and their abrupt physicality frees us from everyday constraints. To imagine incredible powers, strengths and abilities is to, in some way, possess them. We can all do amazing things in our dreams and experiencing that in your head is an endlessly marvellous thing.
They put things that should be separate together. They are discordant. But their merging is a fantastic shadowy, unconscious sink hole for our darkest thoughts, feelings and memories - anger, sadness, worry, shame, fear, loneliness.
They are intrinsically linked with childhood, fear of the dark and the unknown, nightmares. The intensity of childhood memories, when we were small and powerless - awoken by the experience of something once again towering over us. Delighting in their terribleness from a position of safety offers temporary mastery of our fears.
I feel more kinship with a writhing dragon, gorgon or gargoyle than nearly every representational female statue I have ever seen (Justice, Liberty, Roman & Greek heroines, monarchs alike). These creatures have more of a sense of how it feels to be in my body. How it feels to have lots of thoughts and feelings concurrently. They rekindle the sensuality of childhood, the delight in squidge and ooze and freedom from self-censorship. They are paranormal receptacles and communicators.