Otherworldly 

Editor: Here we have Sarah Joncas’ "Otherworldly", an oil painting that I find incredibly ethereal. It’s largely monochromatic, awash in blues. What strikes me, looking at the way this feels almost like an illustration, is that this "mermaid" has a tattoo and isn't necessarily what one would expect. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Well, focusing on the materiality, the smoothness of the oil paint gives it a certain artificiality. The figure looks almost like porcelain. The contemporary interpretation of a mythical being allows us to see it through a lens of modern production and aesthetics. Note the emphasis on craft in what seems like "low brow" illustrative fantasy work. It blends traditions to highlight how those boundaries become blurrier. How do elements like her body marking inform your reading? Editor: I see how the tattoo almost reclaims this mermaid from the standard canon, almost reclaiming her… Perhaps pushing back against certain objectifications that exist with the original archetype? Curator: Precisely. This element reflects contemporary modes of self-expression. Joncas utilizes historical painting techniques, in oils no less, and integrates modern elements such as the tattoo. The surface smoothness and blue tint speak of the digital, creating this fascinating clash of craft versus manufactured perfection. This makes us question the very tools of creating identity. The way these methods of expression intertwine really brings forward conversations regarding value in craftsmanship. Editor: That’s a brilliant take; I hadn't considered the comment on modes of production in self-expression. I see how labor and technique really play together here. Thanks for your insight! Curator: Of course! Considering process makes us challenge our own assumptions, it allows us to reframe established interpretations to create more dialogue.