"Cicada" : Original Artwork by Karien Bredenkamp
"Cicada" : Mat Boards that Original and Limited Edition Prints get shipped in

"Cicada"

$39.00
Print Or Original?:Limited Edition Print
Quantity:
Only 24 units left

Prints: Limited edition of 25

About The Artwork:

"Cicada" is a black and white art piece that layers fragility with symbolic weight, inviting reflection on rebirth, resistance, and rootedness.

The cicada is a symbol of transformation and resurrection across many cultures. Known for its long life cycle underground before emerging into the light, it often represents personal awakening and the cyclical nature of existence. In ancient Greece, the cicada was associated with music, poetry, and the concept of immortality. In Japanese folklore, it is a harbinger of summer and a reminder of how fleeting life can be. Its presence in this illustration hints at hidden phases of growth and the quiet power of endurance.

Dandelions carry themes of wishes, resilience, and impermanence. These delicate seeds are often blown into the wind to symbolize hopes being sent into the world. In folklore, they represent childhood, dreams, and the beauty of letting go. Here, their gentle release from the cicada’s grasp offers a contrast between fragility and strength, reminding us that surrender can be a form of wisdom.

The anchor, hanging from the body of the cicada, grounds the composition in ideas of stability, resistance, and emotional depth. Often seen as a nautical symbol of hope and steadfastness, the anchor can also suggest a burden or tie to the past. Its weight juxtaposed with the airborne dandelions creates a tension between freedom and attachment, reminding us of what we choose to carry.

The triangular twigs held by the cicada form a primal, geometric symbol. Triangles can suggest harmony, spiritual insight, and connection between body, mind, and soul. Twigs, on the other hand, speak of nature’s raw material and the fragility of beginnings. Together, they hint at the structure we build from humble origins and the wisdom that comes from piecing together meaning through instinct and intuition.

In combination, these symbols offer a layered meditation on duality. "Cicada" evokes the tension between weight and weightlessness, emergence and release, structure and chaos. It is a black and white art piece that speaks to the slow work of transformation and the grace of letting go. Perfect for lovers of poetic symbolism, it serves as a reminder that growth often occurs in unseen spaces.

"But now I wanted nothing more than to be the girl so free that fireflies shined as her night-lights, cicadas sang her symphonies, and the forest stood as her cathedral." ― Meagan Church, The Last Carolina Girl