Madonnas on the Rocks: the paintings men can never own.
!['Franka'. Oil paint on Maltese limestone (franka). Rock size: 13.5 cm x 41.5 cm]()
This collection of paintings wrestle with the natural beauty of the Earth, scarred by the cruelty mankind inflicts upon it. Madonnas on the Rocks was a response to watching humanitarian crises unfold across the globe, as corruption, greed, and cruelty seem to go unchecked. Women are painted directly onto beautiful slices of stone, symbolizing the precarious situation global situation as governments and society slide back into extreme conservatism, violence, and unashamed misogyny.
Despite this sombre commentary, the exhibition is an expression of hope, beauty, and resilience. It’s interesting that being ‘on the rocks’ means to be going through a very difficult time, whereas ‘being a rock’ means being a steadfast, safe place, impervious to surrounding difficulties. Rocks represent both sides of struggle; the hardship itself as well as the grit needed to overcome it.
In protest to the violence and inequalities being faced by women, these particular paintings can never be owned by men. It’s a defiant reversal of the historical norm of women being denied rights, as well as a statement against domestic and gender-based violence.
20% of the price of each piece is donated to a women’s rights organization to help fund those fighting for equality and justice.
![‘Ammonite’. Oil paint on ammonites in resin. Rock size: 12 x12 cm]()
![‘Agate’. Oil paint on agate. Rock size: 12 x 19 cm]()
![‘Lapis Lazuli’. Oil paint on lapis lazuli with gold leaf. Rock size: 8 x 15.5 cm]()
![‘Labradorite’. Oil paint on Labradorite. 13cm (w) x 15cm (h) x 6.5cm (d)]()
![‘Ocean Jasper’. Oil paint on ocean jasper. 13cm (l) x 4.5cm (h) x 3cm (d)]()
![‘Peanut Obsidian’. Oil paint on peanut obsidian. Rock size: 11.5 x 14cm]()
![‘Amethyst’. Oil paint on amethyst. Rock size: 15 x 19 cm]()
![‘Petrified Wood’. Oil paint on petrified wood. Rock size: 18 x 24cm]()
![‘Galaxy Rhyolite’. Oil paint on galaxy rhyolite with gold leaf. Rock size: 22.5 x 14 cm]()
This collection of paintings wrestle with the natural beauty of the Earth, scarred by the cruelty mankind inflicts upon it. Madonnas on the Rocks was a response to watching humanitarian crises unfold across the globe, as corruption, greed, and cruelty seem to go unchecked. Women are painted directly onto beautiful slices of stone, symbolizing the precarious situation global situation as governments and society slide back into extreme conservatism, violence, and unashamed misogyny.
Despite this sombre commentary, the exhibition is an expression of hope, beauty, and resilience. It’s interesting that being ‘on the rocks’ means to be going through a very difficult time, whereas ‘being a rock’ means being a steadfast, safe place, impervious to surrounding difficulties. Rocks represent both sides of struggle; the hardship itself as well as the grit needed to overcome it.
In protest to the violence and inequalities being faced by women, these particular paintings can never be owned by men. It’s a defiant reversal of the historical norm of women being denied rights, as well as a statement against domestic and gender-based violence.
20% of the price of each piece is donated to a women’s rights organization to help fund those fighting for equality and justice.
