“The Mane Attraction” : Original Artwork by Karien Bredenkamp
“The Mane Attraction” : Mat Boards that Original and Limited Edition Prints get shipped in

"The Mane Attraction"

$39.00
Print Or Original?:Limited Edition Print
Quantity:
Only 47 units left

Prints: Limited edition of 50

About The Artwork: 

"The Mane Attraction" is a playful and symbolic piece of black and white art that merges strength with symbolism, inviting the viewer to contemplate power, instinct, and restraint. A lion’s head takes center stage, its mane composed of wheat stalks rather than fur. From behind the head, two lion tails emerge—each one tied in a deliberate knot. This whimsical black and white art piece balances wildness with structure, inviting layered interpretations of pride, identity, and self-control.

Lions have long symbolized majesty, confidence, and inner authority. Across cultures—from Mesopotamian empires to medieval heraldry—the lion is a symbol of leadership and unshakable will. In astrology, the lion represents the sign of Leo, which is ruled by the sun and is associated with creativity, self-expression, and heart energy. In this piece, the lion’s stillness carries a quiet intensity—less a roaring predator than a watchful sentinel, grounded and unyielding.

Wheat offers a contrasting energy—earthy, fertile, and symbolic of sustenance. Across agricultural and mythological traditions, wheat has represented abundance, harvest, and the nourishing cycles of life. In alchemy and craft, wheat is also transformed—ground into flour or fermented into whiskey—highlighting its relationship to patience, time, and refinement. In "The Mane Attraction," the replacement of a lion’s mane with wheat suggests a power that isn’t just fierce, but life-giving: cultivated rather than conquered.

Knots, whether ornamental or functional, often symbolize complexity, intention, and unresolved tension. They can represent commitment, entanglement, or the act of binding energy for a purpose. In myth and folklore, knots are sometimes seen as protective charms or puzzles that must be untangled to achieve clarity. The knotted tails in this piece may hint at a force held in reserve, or the paradox of restraint within strength—an echo of power consciously contained.

Together, these symbols offer a nuanced portrayal of authority and balance. The lion stands for instinct and presence; the wheat for growth and transformation; the knots for the boundaries we place around our own power. "The Mane Attraction" invites viewers to reflect on what it means to hold strength without excess, to mature rather than dominate, and to lead with grounded clarity. This black and white art piece is a tribute to the quieter forms of mastery—the kind rooted not in performance, but in presence.

"You are all lions – so go your own way. Do not walk the beaten path like sheep, one after another. Do not follow any path. Lions do not follow each other like sheep." — H. W. L. Poonja

What do you see?

I am a collector of interpretations - if you have a unique explanation of what any of my illustrations mean to you, please submit it here:

Submit Art Interpretation