Steven Leyba "Baphomet POORtrait" (2014)

Deeply imbued with intricate symbolism, Steven Leyba's 'Baphomet POORtrait' was created in 2014 using fine Native American beadwork, bullet casings from the rifle used to shoot the actual canvas, coins, deer bones and wood found in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico (the birthplace of Apache medicine man Geronimo), and early methods of acrylic transfer patterns featuring the Sephiroth (roots of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life) - a holistic nod to the artist's Native American - Jewish heritage.

Inspired by the esoteric teachings of the influential French occultist Eliphas Levi that promoted the original 'Sabbatic Goat' image as the symbol for balance and the perfect social order, this unique portrait of Baphomet features the traditional hermaphroditic imagery found in various ancient cultures - Mayan, Aztecs, Egypt and Europe, and references to the god figures in mythology that brings light (Lucifer) and fire (Prometheus). It is only in recent contemporary Western contexts that this figure is depicted as an evil 'Satan' - far from the truth of its origins.

Leyba's depiction of this legendary figure is based out of the Hebrew word 'Satan', translated as 'Adversary', reflecting a powerful being that brings knowledge, technology, agriculture and medicine to liberate and empower people against the controls of governmental suppression towards the livelihoods of rural communities.

This artwork was shot by the artist with a 1873 Trapdoor Carbine rifle, a similar calibre to the famed Geronimo's rifle, in response to the initial commission of this artwork that later revealed to be an online wedding gift scam. The artist further instilled elements within the creative process to perform as a money spell.

Proceeds from the sale of this artwork to your collection will aid in beginning the archival process of the artist's 33 years of creating radical handmade books made out of his experimental paintings.