She Blooms Through Cracks Of Gold

Artwork Title: She Blooms Through Cracks of Gold

Medium: Mixed Media (Acrylic, Rice Paper Collage, Gold Foil)
Dimensions: 40cm x 40cm (42.8cm square, framed in natural Tasmanian oak)

Artwork Description:
She Blooms Through Cracks of Gold explores the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, capturing the raw beauty of imperfection. The figure’s bold, unapologetic expression contrasts with the softness of the hydrangeas covering her eyes—a symbol of transformation and emotional depth. The flowers conceal yet protect, suggesting a tension between vulnerability and strength.

The gold halo, inspired by the Japanese art of kintsugi (the practice of mending broken pottery with gold), frames the subject as both sacred and human. The halo, paired with the textured rice paper cracks across the skin, celebrates the idea that our flaws and fractures are not blemishes but pathways to growth and self-discovery.

The dark background serves to highlight the figure’s luminous skin and vibrant flowers, creating a bold contrast that speaks to the duality of light and shadow within us all. Written around her neck, the phrase “She Blooms Through Cracks Of Gold” ties the visual elements together, symbolising the emergence of beauty and strength through life’s imperfections.

This piece invites viewers to reflect on the complex layers of identity, the masks we wear, and the power that comes from embracing both our vulnerabilities and triumphs.