Snakes and Ladders is an ancient Indian board game historically used as a tool for teaching the effects of good choices versus bad on one's life journey. The ladders represent virtues, while the snakes represent evil vices. The symbol of the snake is deeply significant across a wide range of cultures and religions. Not only seen as an evil vice, the snake also represents the importance of self regeneration (shedding one’s skin), and spiritual growth.
The ladder, a literal symbol of an upward progression, is also a symbol of luck. The word ‘ladder’ is contemporarily used in one particular term of phrase: “climbing a social or corporate ladder.” Using the metaphor of the ancient morality game, seen through a humourous lens, these paintings are an exploration of questions and thoughts about personal growth.