Parallel Self 

Sarah Joncas painted “Parallel Self”, and we find ourselves amidst a study in dualism and identity, rendered with a delicate yet unsettling touch. The overlapping faces, delicately brushed in shades of pink and grey, create a sense of ethereal displacement. Joncas masterfully uses symmetry and mirroring, not just to duplicate, but to dissect the idea of the self. One face is partially obscured by a butterfly, a potent symbol of transformation and the ephemeral nature of identity. It acts as a semiotic device, hinting at the possibility of change and hidden realities. The superimposition of the faces disrupts our perception of wholeness, suggesting a fragmented inner landscape. The cool, muted palette contributes to a dreamlike quality, a space where the boundaries of identity blur. The presence of flora intertwined around the figures introduces an element of growth and natural flux, contrasting with the static, painted surface. The butterfly reminds us that the self is not a fixed entity but a site of constant becoming, an idea that challenges our perception of self.