Sarah Lacy

This piece is part of an ongoing series of self portraits titled “Adamantine” that investigate how our experiences impact our bodies and sense of self, using the personal to portray the universal. Titled “Maria Ignota”, Latin for “unknown seas”, this self portrait is a visual metaphor for exploring the complex waters of our emotional and psychological selves. It represents my journey to come to grips with my experiences of trauma, abuse, injury, chronic pain, depression and anxiety.

Originally inspired by Vermeer’s “Woman in a Red Hat” and his frequent use of maps as backdrops, the piece evolved to include unique metaphorical elements.

The map shows imaginary land masses to demonstrate that these are not territories we are familiar with: understanding our psyche is a journey of discovery. The compass represents the trusted tools we use to navigate these uncharted waters. The sea monsters were researched using primary documents to be historically accurate. They vary from frightening to whimsical, much like our own internal dialogues: we contain both shadows and endearing quirks.

Subject: Self

Maria Ignota (Unknown Seas), self portrait, oil on board, 16” x 20”

Sarah Marie Lacy is best known for her luminous portraits and figurative works that combine a classical aesthetic with an honest exploration of how our emotional lives impact our physical selves. She has exhibited in Canada, Ireland and the United States, and has received several awards & grants, including first prize in the Artist Magazine’s Annual Competition. Sarah trained at Studio Escalier in France, subsequently ran her own art school for several years and has been an invitational teacher at the National Gallery of Canada, the National Arts Centre and Algonquin College. She is currently based in Ottawa where she paints portraits on commission and is working on her next solo exhibition of self portraits.