Pandora the Caduceus
Pandora the Caduceus II. (6×12 encaustic mixed media on wood, 2024 July)Its a sketch because I might upscale her to mural size someday. I took some in progress photos for your amusement – a 21 size ratio will probably not be ideal for this, project but otherwise, how do you like her vs. skateboard Pandora I. Fun detail I stole the serpent design from my own aquarium drawing that I made when I was 14.The piece was inspired by the fact that the Caduceus (two serpents winding around a winged staff) has been used as a symbol of medicine incorrectly.Greek god Hermes carried a winged staff entwined with two snakes. The staff of Aesculapius, the god of healing, had one snake and no wings. Logically, the staff of Aesculapius should be the symbol of the
Contact the artist: kiralymariann@gmail.com
Or see the artist’s website: www.bicucullline.com/
Width: 6in
Depth: 1in
Marianna Kiraly
I’m a neuroscientist passionate about art, mental health and pharmaceutical discovery. My goal is to share my visual stories and to connect with my audience through creativity.
I invite viewers to gaze deeply within their consciousness and hearts. My encaustic paintings are inspired by psychology (I use art as an emotional outlet – to me it serves as a substitute for journaling), novel techniques, and the desire to play with mind-stretching associations. My art practice is a deeply personal process that dances at the edge of real and imagined existence.
My inner conflict between my scientific thinking and my emotional world is expressed through surrealism. I enjoy discovering new exciting ways for self-expression via layering the molten semi-transparent wax-based encaustic medium using fire (the flame of a blow torch), sculpting the material, playing with its opacity, depth and color fusion. My curious nature has led me to continue expanding my palette of artistic tricks – learned by my own unique experimental innovations – such as the diffusion of pigment powder, colored sand and the inclusion of magnets, mirrors and various other objects to achieve certain visual effects. As an artist, my studio is my sanctuary where I can process the harshness of the real world and feel connected with myself and with nature.
I grew up in Budapest/ Hungary – I moved to the US in 2009 and to the Bay Area in 2011. I have acquired a Master’s degree in Bioengineering and a PhD in Neuroscience. After spending ten years as a basic Research Scientist at Stanford University (School of Medicine), I moved on to the private sector. Currently I hold a leadership (VP of R&D) position at a clinical-stage pharmaceutical startup company that develops novel therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and brain cancer.
Email: kiralymariann@gmail.com
Website: www.bicucullline.com/
Instagram: bicucullline
