Ostrzę (The Blade) - Mixed Media Photography on Wood - Image 2
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Ostrzę (The Blade) – Mixed Media Photography on Wood

Ostrzę (The Blade) by Robin Rivers is an original piece of mixed media collage on wood from The Female Gaze series. I created this piece using my own photography shot in Northeastern France and creative commons zero archival images from The Met Open Archives. Other elements include acrylic paint and medium. 

Inquire about this piece HERE.

How I source and care for historical materials → Sources

Description

The Original

Ostrzę (The Blade) by Robin Rivers is an original piece of mixed media collage on wood from The Female Gaze Series.I created this piece using my own photography shot in northeastern France and creative commons zero archival images from The Met Open Archives. Other elements include acrylic paint and medium. 

The piece measures 23×36″ (w/h) and is mounted on wood. Shipping will be calculated based on location.  Please note that colours and contrast vary between different monitors.  The colours may not match your monitor’s display exactly. Additionally, copyright of my artwork does not transfer with purchase.

The Inspiration for Ostrzę (The Blade) by Robin Rivers

Through The Female Gaze series, I explore cultural memory by reconstructing medieval patriarchal iconography through a feminine lens. Each piece transforms my contemporary photography—often combined with archival materials—into complex narratives that place women in positions of power. By layering the medieval stained glass form with photography shot across various locations in France, I create temporal dialogues that reframe the cultural narrative of women in history.
 
In this piece,  I wanted to reconstruct a window based on the Arthurian myth of the Lady In the Lake. In traditional storytelling and iconography, the passive woman provides the sword to the king. Instead, I reworked the imagery so that she is the sword, the power, the force from which only a true leader could draw. I also layered in the triple goddess motif to honour the old one Hekate and my Polish heritage (matryoshka). Finally, I chose stark background photography to create a sense of the old faith and ancient power of women. 
 
 

Sources

  • Original photography from Robin Rivers shot in December 2024 near Orquevaux, France.
  • The Met Open Archives: Cross Hilt Sword; Bladesmith Blade signed by Clemens Horn; German; 1600–1625. Link to image.
  • The Met Open Archives: Marble portrait bust of a woman; Roman;  ca. 193–211 CE. Link to image.
  • Artist materials:
    • Acrylic paint,  acrylic matte medium

The Artist

Robin Rivers is an artist, photographer, and writer who creates from conversations with ancient ponds and old trees, spirits of place and old ones whose lost stories want to be told. As a mixed-media artist, Rivers works with original photography, museum archives, and storytelling to give form to the old ones who speak to her through dreams, deep listening, and walking the land in ancient places. Her practice weaves together mystical guidance and archival research, creating magical pieces that restore powerful lost connections and stories rising up once again. Robin creates all pieces at Studio Albertine in Vancouver, Canada—on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples. This includes the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

Before you go, check out more of my work HERE.

Finally, be sure to follow me on SUBSTACK

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