L’Averse

L’Averse is included in my Parlour Games Series, which examines the constrictions of cultural norms in what we display in our domestic spaces, employing unconventional subjects, color pairings, and varying degrees of complexity in design.

I chose the title L’Averse, meaning downpour, for this piece because the shape of its fungi, its drips, and its silver background evoke the image of a sudden cloudburst. I am intrigued by how downpours drive us to stillness as we watch and listen as the wind whips the trees and the rain stampedes past. And after the storm passes, there is an incredible sense of relief and renewal. We jolt back into action, invigorated by the release of tension, the freshness in the air, and the aroma of the freshly drenched earth and plants.

Through this artwork, I aim to bring the uncontrolled wildness of nature into our everyday living spaces. Natural elements exhibited in our residences are typically subdued, showcasing human dominance over nature. The fungi and lichens that take center stage in this artwork are as vivid and intricate as garden blossoms. Nevertheless, both fungi and lichens are frequently overlooked, underestimated, and trampled upon. L’Averse serves as a reminder to value and embrace the beauty that exists in all aspects of nature, including the modest, the untamed, as well as the magnificent.