Andrew Gow created this painting inspired by a photograph of an antique shop window display on Kings Road in London. This display featured a damaged lion sculpture and gilt furniture. The artwork explores the theme of inverted mythic paradigms, with the lion as the central figure. Symbolising the king of beasts, this apex predator is depicted fiercely, mouth open as if roaring. However, intriguingly, the lion is legless, symbolising powerlessness. Set against a backdrop of abundant gilt objects, the lion, once a fearsome symbol of wild, dangerous masculinity, is reduced to a mere decorative object, prompting reflections on nature, consumerism, and our role in such transformations.

The vibrant painting of a stylised lion is positioned centrally and rendered in bold, expressive brushwork. Shades of yellow and brown define the lion's mane and body, with strategic highlights and shadows enhancing its form. The abstract background, a mix of geometric shapes and contrasting colours like blue and red, contributes to the dynamic composition. Completed in 2017, the painting fuses expressionism with a hint of abstraction, emphasising the lion's form and the emotional resonance of the surrounding colours and shapes.