Forbidden Fruit 

Sarah Joncas painted "Forbidden Fruit" using oil on panel to create this contemporary take on temptation. The luminous quality of the skin, achieved through layers of translucent glazes, contrasts sharply with the darkness of the surrounding space. It's as though the smartphone in the subject's hand is the sole source of light, and of knowledge. The smooth surface of the panel supports a high level of detail, from the subtle shading of the figures to the sharp reflections on the phone screen and her serpent ring. Joncas engages with a long tradition of figurative painting, but brings it into the digital age. Consider the labor that has gone into producing this artwork. Oil paint, of course, is a manufactured product, which relies on distribution chains reaching around the world. And what about the smartphone she holds? These objects have transformed our social lives and have been constructed out of rare earth minerals, and assembled under strenuous labor conditions. Ultimately, "Forbidden Fruit" makes us think about our contemporary desires and the unseen costs involved in the devices we consume. It highlights the complex relationship between consumerism, technology, and the enduring human quest for knowledge.