Title: Cat God (Dehumanization)
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size: 50 x 70 cm
Year: 2021
Artist: Mariano Raia
This surreal piece depicts a giant, euphoric Cat God standing on a planet inhabited solely by cats. Its elongated, pointed ears and massive claws dominate the scene, with the claws transforming into multiple umbilical-like forms that cradle fetuses within a spherical structure. The extended claws of its feet immobilize numerous humans attempting to escape, while its long tail ensnares more in desperate struggle. Above, a dawn-like sky emerges with a rising sun, accompanied by a flock of black birds in flight. The work explores themes of domination, dehumanization, and the interplay between power and vulnerability. The work suggests a world in which the cat emerges as the true god, capable of dominating humanity and reshaping existence according to its own nature.
