Wise Owl

The depiction of an owl alongside a girl in my paintings seeks to challenge the gendered personality traits traditionally assigned to each sex. Owls are almost always portrayed as wise, male figures in nursery rhymes and fairy tales. Inspired by The Wise Old Owl and The Owl and the Pussy Cat, I noticed that these rhymes cast the owl as observant, worldly, and charming—qualities stereotypically attributed to men—while female characters are often defined by their beauty or desire to marry. Historically, this reflected women’s limited access to education and independence, but these outdated stereotypes continue today.

I subvert this narrative by portraying the wise owl as female, leaning in with the girl to symbolize their shared connection and mutual strength. Through this depiction, I aim to redefine wisdom as an attribute equally belonging to women.

 

'Wise Owl'

Acrylic and oil on canvas,

Framed in raw oak 104cm x 104cm.

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Leah Mariani’s art practive explores the portrayal of womanhood in popular culture. Her figurative artworks touch on the themes of identity and gender. She is an award winning artist who works out of her home studio in Melbourne, Australia.