Between Wind and Water 

Sarah Joncas invites us into her painting, Between Wind and Water. It depicts a young woman in a boat surrounded by floodwaters, with small birds perched nearby. The birds, often seen as symbols of hope and freedom, here seem to be guiding spirits, much like the dove leading Noah to dry land. We can trace similar avian symbolism back to ancient Greece, where birds were messengers of the gods. But consider too, the flood motif itself. It's not merely about physical inundation, but also the overwhelming tides of emotion and the subconscious. The houses in the background remind us of Caspar David Friedrich's landscapes, inviting feelings of introspection and the sublime power of nature. The flood myth transcends time, appearing in the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Bible. It is a potent reminder of cyclical destruction and renewal. These motifs resonate with the collective unconscious, tapping into primal fears and hopes. The painting captures a dreamlike state, where we navigate the turbulent waters of the psyche, guided by intuition and the promise of rebirth.