Penny - The First Lady, 22 layer hand cut stencil Spray paint on $1 bill - British Stencil Art

"The First Lady"
22 layer hand cut stencil
Spray paint on $1 bill
15.6 x 6.6cm
Signed HPM of 15
2013

Penny's Fallen Angel: A Stenciled Reimagining of Eve

British street artist Penny takes a bold stance on religious iconography with "The First Lady." The piece depicts a figure reminiscent of Eve holding an apple, with a snake wrapped around her waist. This reimagining of a biblical tale invites a critical examination of power, gender, and the enduring allure of forbidden fruit.

A Modern Eve:

• A Fallen Angel: The woman's pose and attire evoke the image of Eve, often depicted as the first woman and the cause of humanity's fall from grace. However, Penny's reinterpretation subverts this traditional portrayal.

• A Symbol of Temptation: The apple, a symbol of temptation and forbidden knowledge, is prominently featured in the piece. It remains a potent reminder of the allure of the unknown and the consequences of yielding to desire.

• A Serpent's Embrace: The snake, a traditional symbol of evil and temptation, is wrapped around the woman's waist. This suggests a more complex relationship between the figure and the serpent, perhaps indicating a symbiotic or even empowering connection.

Unveiling the Message:

• A Feminist Interpretation: Penny's reimagining of Eve could be seen as a feminist critique of the traditional biblical narrative. By portraying Eve as a powerful and independent figure, she challenges the patriarchal notion of women as temptresses and sources of sin.

• A Celebration of Knowledge: The apple, often associated with forbidden knowledge, could also be interpreted as a symbol of empowerment and enlightenment. By embracing the serpent and the apple, the figure could be seen as a symbol of intellectual liberation.

Penny's "The First Lady" is a powerful and provocative piece wrapped in a seemingly simple image. It compels viewers to question the traditional narratives surrounding religion, gender, and the pursuit of knowledge.

About the artist:
British stencil artist Jim Penfold aka Penny (aka Onepennypiece) is known for his super tiny and intricate works on anything from currency  to items as small as a postage stamp.  Penny is constantly pushing himself to create stencil works that are not only beautiful, but convey a message.

Penny graduated from Chelsea College of Art & Design and Central Saint Martins and quickly established himself within the urban art scene in London. He has since received global critical acclaim for his hand cut, extremely detailed stencil artwork.

ArtDrunk.Gallery is always on the look out to purchase original artworks by Penny. Feel free to contact us should you wish to discuss selling any of his work.