In the Playing With Fire show, presented here on this page, you know by the title this is about fire. To truly understand the show, you should understand the context. So let me tell you a little about myself that will help you understand Playing With Fire.

I am a lesbian, I am Wiccan, and I am a feminist, I love to read. You now know I am literate, political, spiritual, and gay. How do these four things impact the artwork you see here?

Please allow me to give you the context in which to view these paintings. Take a moment to understand what these paintings are intended to convey.

And thank you for taking the time to learn not only a tiny bit about abstract art, but about my abstract art.

~ Sue Molyneaux

Fire # 1. Think about how literature and fire go together. Usually, not so well. Book burning has been going on for as long as the word has been written, and continues today. It is a mob’s way of trying to stop progress, to prevent change. By capturing the flames of a book burning, I am conveying to you cautionary message about rejecting ideas, preventing change, and fear mongering.

Fire # 1 - 18"x18", Ink on Canvas, $200

Fire # 2. This leads to the political use of fire. From burning homes to burning land, fire has been used by corrupt political and military leaders to oppress and retaliate. Facing the political firestorm of oppression allows you to see the need for change.

Fire # 2 - 18"x18", Ink on Canvas, $200

Fire # 3. From about 1550 to 1650, in Western Europe, religious leaders began a pogrom to rid themselves of heretics. These were the Burning Times. Midwives, healers, witches, social misfits and religious rebels were all targets. If you worshipped the “wrong” deity, you were a target. This painting conveys memory and secrecy, and a will to stay alive.

Fire # 3 - 18"x18", Ink on Canvas, $200

Fire # 4. As a lesbian, I am aware of the impact of the fires of the Holocaust. Among the targets for extermination were gays and lesbians. Marked with pink or black triangles, gays and lesbians were rounded up, shipped off and, in many cases, gassed and burned. This painting speaks of remembrance, pride and tolerance.

Fire # 4 - 18"x18", Ink on Canvas, $200

Each of these 18"x18" paintings represents an aspect of fire. Each original is available at this time for purchase, simply contact me for more information. They were on public display at Starbucks Cafe, Church and Maitland, Toronto, until December 31, 2009.