1xRUN Thru Interview
Shadowboxer by Sarah Joncas
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? Was it created solely for this release or was there an original piece created?
Sarah Joncas: I created the original in 2014 for my solo show “Snake in the Grass” that opened at the Subtext Gallery. The entirety of the show had a film noir kind of style and a lot of focus on the use of light and shadow to create narrative. I had had a reference image I took of myself many years ago that I always wanted to paint up, but never quite found the inspiration or place for it. When I started building the body of work for ‘Snake in the Grass’, she (or I, I should say) just fit in nicely. The self portrait had a fun, kitschy kind of noir humor about it. The title came from a Fiona Apple song that also tied in well to the themes of relationships and betrayal I was playing with at the time. The original has sold, however.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Sarah Joncas: Oil paint on canvas.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Sarah Joncas: June 2014.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Sarah Joncas: I had a reference image I took of myself many years ago. I had lost my sketchbook that day and had nothing to paint on, so I started using myself as a model in some kitschy noir-like photo shoot. I always liked the photo and wanted to paint it up, but it wasn’t until this show came around that I found a proper place for the image. Though I’m not at all as dramatic, violent, or angry as the painting displays (quite the opposite), it was a lot of fun to role play that kind of revengeful character! I’ve always said painting is kind of my quiet/shy way of acting… I like to paint narratives and covey them in a way that touches emotions and stirs up thought, kind of like a film might.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Sarah Joncas: A few months. The process is long due to drying times of the oil paint. I start with a layer in acrylic and work many months of oil over top to get the rendering and smoothness I like.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Sarah Joncas: Well, despite many people thinking my work is self portraiture or that my girls resemble me, this piece is in fact a self portrait, haha.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Sarah Joncas: If they like the image, it’s a great quality print at a great price!
1xRun: Describe the print in one gut reaction word.
Sarah Joncas: Well, because it’s from my perspective “Humourous”
1xRun: Where can we find you?
Sarah Joncas: Instagram @sarah_joncas – Facebook – Website – Etsy – Twitter
-1xRUN