lrs Varo Remedios Veg Vampires Remedios Varo

The composition presents a peculiar gathering within what appears to be a confined, architectural space. Three figures, humanoid in form but distinctly otherworldly in appearance, are seated around a small table. Their bodies are covered in a textured, almost bristling material, and each possesses a pair of feathered wings extending from their backs. The faces are gaunt, with elongated noses and intense, unwavering gazes directed forward. Each figure holds a long, thin needle or straw, which they insert into a central arrangement of fruit on the table – a watermelon slice, an apple, and what seems to be a pomegranate.
The table itself is simple, constructed from roughly hewn wood, contrasting with the unsettling nature of the figures seated around it. Two chickens are positioned at the base of the table, facing outwards towards the viewer; their posture suggests alertness or perhaps apprehension. Above the scene, a circular opening in the ceiling reveals a dark void beyond, hinting at an unseen expanse and contributing to the overall sense of enclosure and mystery.
The subtexts within this work revolve around themes of sustenance, ritual, and transformation. The act of drawing nourishment from the fruit through needles suggests a parasitic or unnatural feeding process. It evokes imagery of vampirism not necessarily in the literal sense, but as a metaphor for draining life force or exploiting resources. The fruit itself could symbolize vitality, abundance, or even innocence, being consumed in an unsettling and symbolic manner.
The figures’ appearance – the bristling texture, the wings, the gaunt faces – suggests a state of metamorphosis or hybridity, blurring the lines between human and something else entirely. Their unwavering gaze implies a detachment from conventional emotions or empathy, reinforcing their alien nature. The chickens, often associated with dawn and renewal, seem to act as silent witnesses to this strange ritual, potentially representing a sense of foreboding or impending change.
The architectural setting contributes to the painting’s atmosphere of confinement and psychological tension. The dark void above suggests an unknown realm, while the enclosed space emphasizes the isolation of the figures and their peculiar activity. Overall, the work creates a dreamlike, unsettling narrative that invites contemplation on themes of dependency, transformation, and the darker aspects of human nature or existence.