La Cage Du Corps Jusqu’à L’âme 2016

Sandra Chevrier made this painting, “La Cage Du Corps Jusqu’à L’âme”, with oil paint and collage. The torn comic book pages covering half the woman's face jolt our focus to her exposed eyes and mouth. I can imagine Chevrier moving between realism and surrealism, adding color and drama to this woman. Is it really a cage, or a mask? The comic book fragments contrast with the woman's calm gaze. I feel like the artist is asking us to consider the identity of women in a pop culture world. The comic book explosions, the classic "Blam" and "Pow", feel aggressive when juxtaposed with her quiet expression. Are these the real battles? Is she really saying "Feel it?" The torn edges add to the emotional layers of the work. Chevrier is in a great tradition of artists who combine figuration and collage – she reminds me of Hannah Hoch, but she also has her own distinct voice.