"The Whirler" is a series featuring rabbit-headed creatures in Victorian dresses spinning on a wheel. This concept stems directly from the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty and the image of the witch secluded in the tower before the princess pricks her finger. Drawing from the classical myth of the spinner, the work presents an anthropomorphic figure who, at first glance, is perceived as a female rabbit, yet is ultimately revealed to be a male rabbit in drag. Though it may appear to be a lady rabbit, it is actually a male rabbit dressed as a woman; the pieces play with dress codes to mislead the viewer in the exact same manner as cross-dressing.
This captivating watercolor painting constructs a rich visual narrative where delicate technical execution brings forth a world steeped in classical illustration and profound surrealist symbolism. Set within a Victorian interior, the anthropomorphic figure sits attentively at a spinning wheel, surrounded by miniature framed portraits—nodding directly to iconic art historical masterworks—tarot cards, and a quiet feline companion. Through precise brushwork and subtle layering on paper, Suárez Rojas engages in a sophisticated dialogue on identity, cross-dressing, and folklore. The composition stands out as an exquisite acquisition for discerning collectors of Latin American contemporary art.
Watercolor painting - The Whirler, 2024 by Andru Suárez Rojas
The Whirler/La hilandera, 2024
From The Whirler series
Watercolor on paper
Dimensions:
Frame size: 16.9 H x 13.3 W x 2 D in.
Image size: 9.4 H x 7.8 W in.
Signed lower front by the artist
Wood frame
Andru Suárez Rojas (b. 1994, Barrancas, La Guajira, Colombia) is a contemporary artist whose work explores the concept of folklore through staged settings and compositions that interrogate identity, transvestism, and time.
Suárez Rojas creates dreamlike, "non-place" environments that evoke the human capacity for preserving histories and memories. His visual language is deeply influenced by the visionary legacy of Surrealist artists Leonora Carrington, Remedios Varo, and Frida Kahlo, seamlessly interwoven with the delicate watercolor sensibilities of British illustrator Beatrix Potter.
Literature and everyday scenes serve as foundational pillars for his compositions. Rather than drawing from modern pop culture, the artist's anthropomorphic creatures are rooted in ancient mythologies and folklore:
The Rabbits: While easily mistaken for references to Alice in Wonderland, their presence is intrinsically linked to the concept of transvestism. They find their origin in The Ballad of Mulan, the historic Chinese folk poem detailing a woman who disguises herself as a man to take her father's place in the military.
The Cats: These figures evoke the manifestation of the Egyptian goddess Bastet, acting as a bridge between distinct cultural traditions.
By positioning these symbolic animals within Victorian-inspired landscapes, Suárez Rojas engages in a deliberate process of aesthetic globalization and artistic hybridization. Furthermore, native South American animals, such as the capybara, appear sporadically throughout his work, embodying a sense of serene, quiet observation amidst these complex thematic dialogues.
