Slingshot by Teddy Hansen

A leopard can’t change its spots, but a deer can.
This painting is about a deer that has changed its spots and decided to become a slingshot. Deer change their spots as they age to help them camouflage in their environment.

The painting shows a large deer that has been made into a slingshot with a small naked man on his back who is about to launch a red ball. The naked man is also attempting to “change his spots” by conquering his fear of leopards. He is accomplishing this by launching red balls at the leopard depicted in the bottom left corner.

Around the canvas are Phalaenopsis orchids (also known as moth orchids), which can change appearances, primarily affecting the colour, pattern, and size of their flowers. These changes are often in response to environmental shifts.

Two of the flowers have no stalks and antennae, fully resembling moths. Moths have also been known to change their spots. In the Industrial Revolution, the peppered moth changed colour due to pollution in the air.

A wishbone on the deer’s leg not only resembles a slingshot but also represents the wish of wanting to change.

Mixed media on canvas.

106H x 95W cm

2025