Agnes from Enceladus, acrylic on paper by Lena Snow, 31x24 cm, a planetary series artwork inspired by David Mamet’s Oleanna, exploring themes of power, language, and ambivalence.
Agnes from Enceladus (framed)
Original artwork, acrylic on high-quality paper (31x24cm), framed under plexi glass in a customized blue frame, 33x26cm, signed on the back of the artwork
Agnes from Enceladus was inspired by one of my favorite plays by David Mamet: Oleanna. The title refers to a 19th-century utopian community founded by the Norwegian violinist Ole Bull and his wife, Anna—hence the name "Oleanna." This agricultural settlement ultimately failed because the land they had purchased was rocky and infertile, forcing the settlers to return to Norway.
The play explores themes of language and power, patriarchal structures, and a broken education system that places a female student—lacking academic privilege—in a subordinate position. By the end, she asserts herself, and the power dynamics shift. What lingers is the question of whether any form of overpowering—regardless of direction—can ever be justified or truly beneficial.
In my depiction, I aimed to capture the ambivalent figure from Oleanna, adding a subtle Norwegian touch through the sweater she wears, which references the original roots of the story.
