Blossom 

Sarah Joncas’ ‘Blossom’ presents us with an image of a young woman amidst a stylized floral scene. The figure’s gaze is directed towards us, as though we are intruding upon a private moment of communion with nature. Joncas' work, made in the early 21st century, reflects a renewed interest in symbolism and the natural world. The woman, adorned with a butterfly and surrounded by blossoms, evokes themes of transformation, beauty, and the cyclical nature of life. We can consider its relationship to the idealized representation of women in art history, while also noting the way that the artist reclaims and subverts these traditions by placing her female subjects in positions of power. As historians, we consider how institutions like museums, galleries, and the internet shape the production and reception of art, and through these we might discover other symbolic meanings. In considering these contexts, we are better equipped to understand the complex interplay between the individual artist and the social and cultural forces that inform their work.