This painting is the most recent of an extensive series incorporating animal skulls and anthropomorphism. When creating these paintings, I found it easier to represent these animals in a human-like manner. They were more relatable and took on characteristics of their own. They were not just animal skulls but representations of a deeper meaning and overall theme.

The title ‘Gallus’ is a double-edged sword. In Latin, gallus simply means rooster. In other cultures, the word is defined as bold, daring, or reckless. The rooster is brazen, self-confident, and radiates masculine energy. He’s ‘cocky,’ to say the least. And just to drive his male sexuality home, I’ve added symbols such as the sun radiating behind him, ginseng before him, and a carnelian in his beak. My favorite part of this piece is the rooster feathers that I sewed into the canvas with a red thread.