The Man who turned into a Jaguar

The pre-Mayan Olmec civilization had its beginnnings over three thousand years ago in the region of tropical lowlands that are now the Mexican States of Veracruz and Tabasco. The Olmec are credited with introducing, among other things, New World writing - and significantly, the mathematical concept of zero. The binary system (0 and 1) which is the foundation of all computer language, therefore had its origins in the Olmec culture! Several significant mysteries are associated with the Olmec, the best-known of which are the colossal carved granite heads which appear to portray African features, and several small sculptures of men with Caucasian features and beards, one of whom is wearing what appears to be a Greek Phrygian cap: artifacts which intriguingly suggest possible ancient trans-Atlantic trade connections. Other figurines show a mix of human and jaguar features, perhaps intended to portray shamans in states of transformation. My painting takes its inspiration from these Olmec figurines.