Girl with skull by Don Driver recalls images of the Minotaur, a part-man, part-bull creature of classical mythology. The Minotaur is generally viewed as a symbol of masculinity, sexual insatiability, and the struggle with one’s animal nature.
But Driver’s creature is clearly female, her dress hiked up to reveal enlarged genitals. He uses this slightly crude display of sexuality, perhaps, to hint at women’s beastliness and sexual autonomy.
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Don Driver, Girl with skull, 1981, plastic, bone, fabric, synthetic hair, and metal. Te Papa (1987-0003-1)