Katie Sandwina
30 x 40 inches - Acrylic on Canvas
Let your strength leave monuments in awe
Since my earliest memories, I have been captivated by the grandeur of monuments and statues, so much so that I once passionately wanted to be a sculptor.
And so, within this collection, I knew I had to create a 'larger-than-life' symbolic sculpture to honour the wonderful Katharina Brumbach, professionally known as Katie Sandwina.
In the 19th century, when art and culture idealised dainty female figures, Sandwina stood in her muscular form and glory, defying societal expectations and challenging the conventional notion of femininity.
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As a strongwoman in the circus, Katie's astonishing routine included lifting horses, shouldering a carousel of 14 people, carrying cannons on her back, and more!
Amusingly, one of her most beloved feats that delighted audiences was effortlessly hoisting her 170lb husband overhead with her single arm!
Through this tribute to Sandwina, I invite you to reevaluate your own definition of masculinity & femininity, and perhaps inspire more diverse notions of beauty which go beyond gender norms.
Katie with her husband
Sandwina retired at 57 in 1941
