Shadowboxer 

Editor: Right, let’s talk about "Shadowboxer" by Sarah Joncas. It's an oil painting that definitely throws you off balance. There's this woman holding a hammer with a steely gaze… and this ominous green background. There's an undeniably eerie vibe. What's your initial interpretation? What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Oh, absolutely. "Eerie vibe" is spot on! It’s got that perfect blend of hyperrealism and slightly unsettling symbolism. What grabs me first is how Joncas plays with the tension – the hammer, the title’s pugilistic allusion. This modern femme fatale almost taunts you to imagine your own story – is she predator or prey? What space of in-between exists? She really makes us, or at least me, question conventional gender roles within narratives. Editor: So, it's less about literal meaning and more about challenging preconceived notions? What about the artistic choices specifically, the heavy shadow cast on the back wall. Is there some kind of hidden meaning there? Curator: Shadows are essential! Don't you think that a hammer doesn’t immediately imply physical violence. Think more about psychological manipulation! What do you think, Editor, are shadows concealing, or simply mirroring some facet of this shadowboxer's inner emotional experience, do you think? It really plays into our understanding. Or not-understanding. That’s why the green backdrop is key – it allows our imagination to play a little bit. Editor: I see what you mean. I guess it isn't about finding one definitive answer, but rather, embracing the uncertainty and engaging with that feeling? Curator: Precisely! Ultimately, the impact resides in Joncas’s talent for sparking our imagination. The ambiguity… *that's* the point. So well captured with paint. Editor: Okay, cool. Definitely see it in a new light now, much appreciated.