My Boyfriend, Joe (2021)

This project explores societal expectations of young women and the pressures of committed relationships through mimicry and a labour of love. Over time, it evolved into a personal reflection on the artist’s discomfort with dating, shaped by past abusive relationships and their lasting impacts. Using a plant, affectionately named Joe, as a surrogate, the artist created a safe space to process these feelings. Painting became a meditative ritual, a way to slow down, reflect and gently navigate the complexities of intimacy and healing.

12 paintings,  acrylic, oil, pastels, pencil, 21.0 cm x 29.7 cm