Andrea Burg

In this powerful depiction, the goddess stands as a symbol of wisdom, grace, and divine strength. Her crown, adorned with vibrant feathers, represents spiritual elevation and connection to the ancestors. Feathers symbolize protection, freedom, and the wisdom passed down through generations. Above her head, an eye represents the unconscious trust in spirit, while her closed eyes reflect the deep listening of a soul in tune with its true knowing. Her skin, painted in shades of blue and silver, shimmers with an ethereal glow, emphasizing her otherworldly presence. A bronze ring encircles her neck, adorned with long animal teeth, symbolizing her deep bond with nature, bravery, and survival. The gold halo around her head holds the sacred light of spiritual grace, honoring the divine feminine energy. This piece is a tribute to the strength, wisdom, and sacred power of all women—both past and future.

The crocodile spirit embodies the life-giving waters of our planet, symbolizing a profound connection between the underworld and the earthly realm. It represents our capacity to journey inward, navigating the depths of our subconscious to honor the hidden aspects of our consciousness, ultimately bringing them to the light for greater understanding of our soul’s true essence. As an apex predator, the crocodile evokes both awe and fear, yet in this work, I choose to honor its essence and showcase the unexpected joy and wisdom it has brought me. Through this portrayal, I aim to reveal a more intimate side of the crocodile, one that reflects both its power and its deeper, more enigmatic personality.

Our connection to nature is as boundless as our own existence; we are both a part of it and a reflection of it. In this piece, the woman is embraced by the leaves and foliage of the forest, her presence seamlessly blending with the stillness and vitality of the natural world. She becomes one with her environment, and the depth of the atmosphere invites the viewer to experience a profound sense of unity—with the light filtering through the trees, the rustling of leaves, and the crispness of the air. In the background, the bare trees stand as silent witnesses to the passage of time, their shedding leaves symbolizing the process of letting go and embracing change. Their bare branches reflect the seasons of life in constant evolution—each cycle of loss and renewal contributing to growth and transformation. The sepia tones lend the image a timeless quality, as if it captures a moment from a distant past, evoking both nostalgia and a deep, enduring connection to the earth.

In a desolate landscape where barren trees stretch their exposed roots into the earth, a woman stripped bare by the weight of sorrow experiences the weight of what needs to be let go. Beside water-worn rocks and under an ominous sky, she bows her head, embodying the depths of hopelessness and the loneliness of human despair. Yet, amidst the stark stillness, a quiet miracle unfolds: light pierces through the blanket of clouds, illuminating the seemingly lifeless tree. The interplay of shadows and light reveals a deeper truth—that even in moments of profound grief, we remain tethered to the wisdom of the earth and the spirits of our ancestors. The bare trees, though appearing lifeless, draw strength from hidden roots, symbolizing resilience and the quiet power of connection. This piece speaks to the journey of remembering: that even in our lowest moments, the universe conspires to uplift us, encouraging us to stand rooted, to grow, and to never give up.

In the cold, sterile interior of a meat locker, lifeless bodies of meat hang in unsettling stillness. The muted gray tones of the environment set a chilling mood, while the warmer hues of the flesh command attention, accentuating its texture and form. The smooth surfaces of the female body, though drained of color, retain subtle traces where the gaze most often lingers—on the areas that symbolize fertility: the curves of the hips, the swell of the breasts, the soft roundness of the belly, the most private area of the genitalia. These areas, though bathed in warmth, contrast with the rest of her body, stripped of vibrancy, creating a haunting sense of depletion. The natural grace of her form invites both admiration and a deeper, more complex contemplation. Yet, this beauty also stirs a primal, visceral response—eliciting both reverence and desire. Amidst the butchered livestock, the artwork forces a confrontation with uncomfortable truths about how we view and consume the female body. It draws a stark parallel between the objectification of women and the commodification of animals, exposing the cold intersection of desire and dehumanization. Here, the human form is reduced to mere meat, stripped of agency, much like the animals we raise for consumption. The piece stands as a provocative reflection on our culture’s tendency to revere the body, only to reduce it to an object of selfish pleasure—challenging us to consider whether we truly honor the feminine form, or simply consume it.

On a table surrounded by thick cuts of steak, a nude female torso lies lifeless, its muted colors contrasting with the warmth that highlights the breast and private areas—symbols of fertility and life-giving power. These parts of the body, often the focus of desire, are bathed in color, drawing the viewer’s eye. Meanwhile, the rest of the body remains cold and drained, untouched. The piece critiques how culture commodifies the female form, reducing it to a mere object of consumption, where the focus is placed on its reproductive, life-sustaining organs. Surrounded by raw meat, the artwork calls attention to how society fails to honor the divine feminine energy, reducing the profound and sacred power of creation to an object of lust and consumption.

In this powerful depiction of Makara, the mythical sea creature, the figure embodies transformation and duality, combining elements of both land and sea. Symbolizing adaptability, resilience, and the balance between opposites, Makara represents the ability to navigate between worlds— physical and spiritual. Swirling plumes of motion flow from the figure, signifying expansive energy and limitless potential. This dynamic movement mirrors the force of the currents, symbolizing life’s constant evolution. Linked to Capricorn in the zodiac, Makara reflects the sign’s traits of ambition, determination, and the ability to thrive in both material and spiritual realms. The artwork captures Makara’s essence as a transformative force, reminding us of the power in embracing duality and moving with purpose through life.

This piece portrays a young child, worn and distressed, having endured unimaginable pain in the brief span of her life. Her tangled hair, obscuring the hidden eyes behind the mess of hair, symbolizes how we all witness injustice yet often fail to take meaningful action. The sewn-in hairnets add texture, evoking the image of hair neglected and matted for reasons we may never fully understand. The sadness in her eyes is palpable, yet the green sweater she wears—green, the color of the heart chakra—encircles her, offering a quiet sense of comfort and love. This artwork conveys two powerful messages. The first is a call to recognize that healing our own lives can contribute to the healing of the collective consciousness. It encourages us to tend to our inner child, acknowledging the pain of abandonment or hurt, and offering it the love it needs. The second message is a poignant reminder of the countless children around the world burdened by war, poverty, abuse, and systems that strip them of their inherent dignity and joy. Through this piece, we are asked to reflect on their suffering and our role in bringing about change.

This piece is inspired by Garuda, the mythical bird known across cultures as a symbol of strength, protection, and spiritual liberation. Garuda embodies the energy of expansion, overcoming negative forces with his powerful presence. In this vibrant rendition, the rich, pulsing colors amplify his protective energy, creating a dynamic vibration that activates his role as a guardian. The energy of the colors breathes life into Garuda, intensifying his ability to shield and guide, while evoking a sense of both strength and transformation.

In moments of extreme pain and distress, dissociation becomes a coping mechanism, allowing us to mute the essence of our soul as a means of survival. The woman’s gaze reflects this detachment—an outward expression of how we sometimes believe we can protect ourselves by withdrawing. Yet, through her eyes, we also glimpse the emptiness that comes with this disconnection, a void that mirrors the deep, unspoken pain embedded in the history of our soul. This image is a meditation on that pain—inviting us to recognize the parts of ourselves that have remained hidden or unacknowledged in moments of vulnerability. Only by confronting and embracing these forgotten pieces can we begin to release the weight of our suffering and heal.

Life is a delicate balance of duality, yet we often judge our experiences as good or bad, right or wrong, shaping our perception in the moment. In a world filled with suffering, it can be challenging to see beyond the pain. However, the universe offers us lessons through these experiences, guiding us to grow and evolve. By letting go of pain and embracing transformation, we can harness our struggles to create a more vibrant and loving world. This painting captures that journey. The woman’s blacked-out eyes symbolize the difficulty of facing the shadows within our experiences, both individually and collectively. The textured plaster, evoking decay and the shedding of skin, represents her process of release and transformation. Despite the darkness, her radiance shines through in vibrant colors, a testament to her enduring spirit. This contrast reflects the profound truth that, even amidst shadows, we are alive and capable of experiencing the full spectrum of light. It is in embracing both darkness and light that we learn to cherish life’s colorful moments of love, joy, and the power to create a brighter future.