Towards meaning

Towards meaning centres on the symbolic significance of the axolotl, an endemic Mexican salamander critically endangered in the wild while thriving in captivity. This creature embodies a paradox: it represents the Aztec God Xolotl, appears on the 50-peso note, plays a role in human organ regeneration, and exists in mutant variants due to selective breeding and genetic modification. Once naturally brown, the axolotl has been altered to display pink, red and ultraviolet hues through jellyfish DNA integration. Maddison Kitching's series uses circular forms referencing the axolotl's eyes—eyes that have witnessed the divine, natural, scientific and domestic worlds. The work reflects on what it means for an animal to carry mythological weight while confined to captivity.