From Ashes 

Editor: So, this is Sarah Joncas's painting, "From Ashes." It's undated, and I'm not sure of the materials, but there's something very ethereal and a bit melancholic about it. What do you see in this piece, particularly with those striking tattoos and the stark contrast in textures? Curator: "From Ashes" invites us to consider themes of transformation and resilience, situating the subject within a discourse of reclamation. The butterflies, juxtaposed with the skull, serve as powerful symbols of metamorphosis. The "ashes" in the title suggests a prior state of destruction or trauma. Editor: So, it's about rising from hardship? Is the subject's gaze connected to that, kind of defiant? Curator: Exactly. Think about the gaze in relation to the history of portraiture. How often are women portrayed passively? Here, Joncas gives her subject agency, inviting the viewer to confront her resilience. Furthermore, what does it mean to inscribe one's body with symbols of both death and rebirth in contemporary society? It speaks to identity, doesn’t it? Editor: Yes, definitely. And the juxtaposition of hard and soft elements - like the flowing hair versus the graphic tattoos - what does that tell us? Curator: The contrasting textures invite contemplation of how societal expectations and personal experiences shape identity. The waterfall effect in the backdrop suggests fluidity and the constant remaking of self. Does the juxtaposition challenge fixed categories of femininity? Editor: I hadn’t considered that. Now I see the artwork as a statement about female empowerment. Curator: Precisely. This piece encourages us to move beyond aesthetic appreciation and into a deeper understanding of the individual’s narrative. It prompts reflection on the social narratives of survival, reconstruction, and asserting the self amidst challenging forces. Editor: I'll never see another butterfly tattoo the same way again. Thank you.