Jessica Mongeon
Maternal Synthesis
Watercolor on paper, 35.5 x 35.5 cm.
£750
My paintings are an invitation to encounter nature through the lens of my experiences and imagination. I am fascinated by the visual similarities found in nature, including within the human body. For example, a branching fractal pattern can be found in human veins, neurons, tree branches, river deltas, and lichen. By combining these observations, I demonstrate how humans and nature are interconnected.
This painting is a celebration of motherhood and breastfeeding, inspired by my nursing journey with my daughter. I combine human mammary gland/milk duct anatomical illustrations with hollyhocks, which stand out in my childhood memories. Hollyhocks were planted by my grandmother near the house on our family farm. My sister and I would use the blooms and buds to create dolls, crowns and necklaces. Hollyhocks symbolize growth and rebirth, and have associations with fertility, making them an ideal choice to commemorate the maternal body.
Sanctuary
Watercolor, Acrylic gouache, rice paper collage on paper, 35.5 x 35.5 cm.
This painting features anatomical mammary gland illustrations camouflaged in a field of Queen Anne’s lace flowers, demonstrating a visual connection between human anatomy and nature. The title, “Sanctuary” relates to motherhood, in particular a breastfeeding mother becoming a source of refuge and comfort for her child. Queen Anne’s lace is sometimes compared to a bird’s nest when it goes to seed, making it a symbol for sanctuary and home. I painted and collaged rice paper onto the paper surface to create depth and to capture the vibrant pigments.