Player: Laura C
Email: gala@djemity.chaosdeathfish.com
Caste: Artist
An extract from Gala's artistic manifesto:
“It is commonly supposed that Chitha is something distinct from everyday life, a manicured, pruned, artificial thing. This is wrong in every sense that is important. Chitha is the pulse of life, awaiting only the slightest cut in the skin of the everyday to flow freely. The eye slides over the surfaces of the world, but Chitha must be felt, not seen - sudden and immediate as a slap. That which we experience as shock or fear is only the awareness of a new kind of beauty, of seeing the flesh of the world ripped open to reveal its beating heart. Art should force awakenings on its audience, laugh in their faces and set their bedclothes on fire.”
After spending years in effective exile, as a rebel on the run, Gala was able to openly return to the Flying Isles following the coup against the Order. When Aysa reclaimed her throne she kept her promise to the artist, and the rebels who returned to their people were not persecuted for their time as Enemies of the Empire.
Nearly a year after the fall of the Numina, Gala was found dead in her studio, covered in paint with a brush in her hand. There was a half-completed canvas on the easel in front of her, and many more racked up around the studio. Some of them appear to be a faithful record of her last year of (un)life, others are clearly works of propaganda or wild fantasy.
A large canvas depicting the dismantling of the Red Moon, with Gala visible as a small figure in the foreground on Jinbe's catboat, directing the attention of Jinbe and Relock to some feature of the Numinan Architecture.
Another large canvas, in which the Sylphim of Vyse Peak welcome the crew of an Aquienos trade ship onshore. The composition centres upon Gala among the Sylphim delegation, warmly embracing Utu as he steps from the gangplank.
The first meeting of the Empress' new Advisory Council. A long, low piece designed as a frieze, with Aysa at the centre and her advisors ranged around her. Gala is positioned in between Crailth and Thae-Hal to the Empress' left; she has one hand on Crailth's shoulder, and appears to be directing a knowing smirk at one of the figures in the crowd of onlookers (who has been tentatively identified as the artist Leonor).
Gala sitting on the floor of her studio, looking pensively up at the ceiling, surrounded by Zeniths and an impressive array of weapons and other devices, including a glider, a black cloak and a large box with an open secret compartment.
A loose, impressionistic depiction of the Elemental Manifestations at Vyse Peak; the Manifestations are ranged around the edges of the painting, whilst Gala and Thae-Hal (depicted as a slightly blurred figure, clearly still made of paint) argue in the middle. Some critics have suggested that Gala's expression is as flirtatious as it is confrontational.
Numerous works depicting ancient races and cultures, including many very detailed depictions of the Numina and their architecture. There is something almost wistful about the style, and all the paintings have tiny figures of Gala and Metis somewhere in their background.
A view of a thunderstorm coming in over the Sylphim isles, as the buildings on Erli burn. Almost invisible in the centre is a glider, painted to match the stormclouds, with Gala clinging to it.
The landscape of Port Dawn, with the sun rising in the background, with Utu, Litha and Admiral Mar visible in the foreground. The painting is done with unmistakeable affection.
The incomplete painting depicts a street in Fylapur, whose windows and doors open onto another, stranger world, where furniture bursts into flower and lamps hold glowing beetles instead of candle flames.
There is a single sculpture, a stylised depiction of Gala herself in ivory, gold and stained glass. The statue's face is disfigured, as if someone had slashed at it with a chisel in a fit of frustrated rage.
“Her friendship and aid during the long years of the war will not be forgotten. Nor will her sacrifice, joining the Numina that she might destroy them from the inside. Whether she is now, we hope that the stars will shine brightly upon her.”
Navigator Dela'Padadia'Tru'Mas at Gala's funeral.
“The work is of a laudable quality, but nevertheless one is forced to judge it in comparison with its contempories. Bearing in mind that the artist was a protege and later rival of the famed Gala, I find myself a little disappointed…“
Auctioneer Jazik Yos Elt on reception of Leonor's 'Portrait of a Kirlsa Warrior in Pink'