This mixed media panel is the first in a series on the practice of Communion created based on a styled photoshoot I directed in my studio last year. I drew inspiration from the imagery of the woman seated on the beast in the book of Revelation; representative of the empire, destruction, and drunkenness. Scripture gives us such rich, symbolic imagery and I wanted to play with framing this imagery through the lens of power hungry and corrupted religion that distorts the gospel. Symbolism implicating the Roman Catholic church, the proverbial gilded empire and the scriptural description of the woman representing Babylon abound, but I also wanted to carefully highlight the ways in which

This mixed media panel is the first in a series on the practice of Communion created based on a styled photoshoot I directed in my studio last year. I drew inspiration from the imagery of the woman seated on the beast in Revelation 17:1-5, representative of the empire, destruction, and drunkenness. Scripture gives us such rich, symbolic imagery and I wanted to play with framing this imagery through the lens of power hungry and corrupted religion that distorts the gospel. Symbolism implicating the Roman Catholic church, the proverbial gilded empire and the scriptural description of the woman representing Babylon abound, but I also wanted to carefully highlight the half defiant, half confused expression of the metaphorical temptress. Rarely, when we succumb to the all too real temptation to release our convictions and be carried atop the tides of selfish pursuits, do we FEEL like active participants in the greater agenda of an earthly empire. More often, we feel as though we're doing what we can to survive in a world that profits from the delusion that we should never try for more. I wanted the subject of this panel to feel human, both dangerously tempted and relatable in her intentions.

Rebekah Sanchez: The amazing photographer who shot the reference material for this concept.

Raelynn Ramos: The fantastic makeup artist who brought my vision to life.

Aubrey Gray: A fellow artist & the model for this piece

$1200

Ella Zona Bryant is a studio artist and Brand Designer based in North Carolina. Her studio, Zona Creative Solutions, specializes in holistic wellness brands and serves clients worldwide through brand design, brand art, web design and artful social media support.