Sanderson, Ruth – Unicorns 17 (end Ruth Sanderson

The composition centers around a snow globe, its form dominating the visual field. Within the glass sphere, a sculpted unicorn stands poised on a small patch of foliage, seemingly caught mid-stride. The creatures posture suggests both power and vulnerability; it is alert, yet contained within this miniature world. A scattering of what appears to be artificial snow drifts around the figure, creating an illusion of movement and fragility.
The globe itself rests upon a dark wooden base, which provides a grounding element against the warm, textured background. This backdrop, rendered in shades of ochre and brown, evokes a sense of earthiness and antiquity. The surface is not uniform; it possesses a subtle undulation that suggests natural materials like sand or aged wood.
The lighting is carefully orchestrated to highlight certain aspects of the scene. A soft light source illuminates the unicorn from above, casting gentle shadows within the globe and emphasizing its sculpted form. This creates a sense of reverence for the subject matter. The darkness surrounding the snow globe contributes to an atmosphere of isolation and introspection.
Subtly, the work explores themes of confinement and idealized fantasy. The unicorn, a symbol often associated with purity, grace, and magic, is presented as a contained object – a souvenir or trinket. This juxtaposition generates a sense of melancholy; the creature’s inherent wildness is diminished by its placement within this artificial environment.
The choice of a snow globe further reinforces these ideas. Snow globes are typically associated with childhood nostalgia and manufactured sentimentality, suggesting that even mythical creatures can be reduced to mere representations of something larger and more complex. The work prompts reflection on the nature of representation itself – how we capture and preserve ideals, and what is lost in the process.