This painting continues the story of Icarus who had been imprisoned until his father built wings from wax to facilitate a flight from the tower. In spite of his father's warnings, Icarus flew too close to the sun, the wings disintegrated, he fell and drowned.
In the “She Swam” series, Icarus's journey does not end after falling into the waters into which he (or she?) descends. “When She Could No Longer Fly, She Swam” presents a riddle to the viewer. What if Icarus persevered? What if the journey to the Sun continued?

The painting represents those who continue in spite of mistakes, obstacles or hardship, those who never give up and continue to move forward through the universe (whether by air, land or water).