Maxine Gadd – Frost-Spring (Abraxsis) Maxine Gadd

The diptych presents a striking contrast between two figures embodying opposing seasonal forces. The left panel, designated Frost, depicts a central female figure with ethereal qualities. Her skin possesses a pale luminescence, and her hair appears almost crystalline, interwoven with what seems like ice formations or delicate frost patterns. She is winged, the wings themselves rendered in intricate detail, suggesting fragility and lightness. Below her, three smaller figures are arranged, their expressions ranging from solemnity to quiet contemplation; they appear as if observing the central figure’s dominion over winters stillness. The overall palette leans towards cool blues, whites, and silvers, reinforcing the sense of coldness and dormancy.
The right panel, labeled Spring, offers a vibrant counterpoint. Here we see a similar female form, but transformed by the warmth of renewal. Her skin is tanned, her hair a cascade of auburn tones adorned with blossoms. The wings retain their delicate structure but are now infused with warmer hues. Below her stand three more figures, their faces animated and expressive, suggesting joy and burgeoning life. A palette dominated by golds, greens, and purples conveys the vibrancy and abundance associated with springtime.
The framing border of both panels is a dense pattern that appears to be organic in nature, possibly representing intertwined vines or roots. This shared element suggests an underlying connection between the two seasons, despite their apparent opposition. The positioning of the figures – the central female figure dominating each panel – implies a cyclical narrative; one season yielding to another in an eternal progression.
Subtly, the arrangement of the smaller figures beneath each central figure could be interpreted as representing generations or stages of life affected by these seasonal shifts. Their expressions suggest not merely observation but also participation in the larger cycle of natures transformations. The diptych seems to explore themes of duality, transformation, and the interconnectedness of seemingly opposing forces within a natural system.