by cynthia tokaya

The Golden Gate Conundrum

The Golden Gate Conundrum 2024

 130×200 cm – Oil/ Goldmetalleaf/Ironpigments+Oxide on Canvas

I started this painting while being grounded during the second lockdown of the coronavirus crisis. I had no idea then that this lockdown also meant the end of my flying adventure. Being grounded took me back to where I belonged: In my atelier.

Obviously, my flying work had made a deep impact on me and my paintings showed all sorts of flying elements: Spacejunk, airplanes, a funny-looking figure flying around in a cup, and spaceships. Assuming I would have time enough before being called to duty again, I chose a large canvas to involve myself in a journey of the mind. My thoughts went beyond flying around the planet and further than traveling to Mars. Wherever the journey will take us humans eventually and while traveling through space, will we still believe in God? Will these chosen humans and scientists still need a God? Or will science and progress erase all „primitive“ cults from our systems?

This painting is about navigation, guidance, dreams, and faith. It shows a pilot; an astronaut inspired by the late Ed White II. And a female scientist; the navigator. Do I need to mention the many other elements? No, I do not. Because the word conundrum (puzzles, mystery, riddle, enigma, brain teaser) says it all.

by cynthia tokaya

The Deep Storytelling Painting Gallery at Instagram

The Door / 3x 80×160 cm / Oil on Canvas

If you are interested in close-ups, background information and more, please visit my presentation at instagram: @cynthiatokaya

Update: The Atelier Heidestieg 7 in Düsseldorf-Lohausen is history. I am forever grateful to have spent so many creative years in this wonderful house.

However: It took a while to find a new place, but now I can continue my work again. To contact me, please send an email to : art(at)tokaya.de