This is a reinterpretation of the character of Padme Amidala from Star Wars as a religious saint. The Star Wars universe uses many different styles of art and architecture to characterize different planets, so I decided to draw upon history as well to create my icon. This would be a work of art reproduced cheaply across the galaxy, so the Byzantine style post-Iconoclasm was a good fit. In this era, there was a standardization of the image of Christ, resulting in a framed, schematic, and flat portrayal that is easy to reproduce across an empire.
The flat colors and gold linework imitate cloisonné icons, as well as enhancing the flatness of the work. The patterns on Padme Amidala's halo-like hair decoration and in the background reinforce the unnatural space surrounding her, separating her from the viewer in reality. The emphasis isn't placed upon her likeness but instead upon religious symbols: the twin suns, scales of justice, and the Rebel Sunbird over her pregnant stomach. Like the trope of the Virgin of Mercy, she shelters a city under her cloak, representing the protection she offers. This is not a memorial to a person, but a focus for devotion to a concept.
Who's Keiran?
Keiran Pillman is a designer, illustrator, and researcher living in Rochester, NY. They have a BFA in New Media Design from the Rochester Institute of Technology (2015), and a MFA in Art History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (2017). They have worked as a freelance designer and illustrator for seven years, doing projects for a variety of clients.
In their spare time, Keiran enjoys running, hiking, writing both fiction and non-fiction, and serving as a loyal minion for their cat.