Dragon tale

Andrey Ostashov • Special Issue, 2019
Bronze, granite. 60?52, h=190 cm

Presented here is a young woman bearing a massive, intimidating construct upon her head, reminiscent of the spine of a gargantuan creature; given the title of the work, it clearly refers to a dragon. The heroine wears a long dress, the hem of which is lifted due to her chosen posture. It is accented by a corset featuring an undulating serpent or a creature resembling a Chinese dragon.
The girl sits with her knees bent, resting on her heels; her legs are spread wide for balance, and her hands rest upon her thighs. The look is completed by fingerless opera-length gloves and knee-high boots. When viewed from behind, massive weapons in the form of long batons are visible attached to her elbows, while coiled strands of hair at the nape of her neck resemble a nest of snakes.
The subject is depicted in a state of profound immersion and focus; although her eyes are open, they are fixed on a single point as if she were in a trance. Upon the hem of her dress, small teddy bears are visible, introducing an element of childhood naivety to this otherwise stern and mature image. The master’s construction of the composition is remarkable: though the creature’s skeleton is nearly larger than the girl herself, the overall image remains harmonious and poised. Depending on the viewing angle, the headpiece shifts in appearance—resembling a spine one moment, a giant centipede the next, or even monstrous masks peering out from the depths with an ominous gaze.