Description
Josephine Johnson, Cloudsmoke, 2025 acrylic, oil and charcoal on board, diptych. Image courtesy the artist.
Artist’s Statement:
Cloudsmoke reflects my interest in sublime aesthetic experiences in nature, and climate concern. Depicting a majestic pyrocumulus cloud looming over sand-dunes, the sky is infused with a surreal lilac. What was a devastating wildfire event had a moment of terrifying, cloud-like beauty. The diptych format leans into this duality. Pyrocumulus and cumulonimbus are such sisters in wording yet polar opposite forces of intent.
Being awestruck by nature can be a combination of fear and reverence, and is ultimately an act of appreciation for the solace and sanctuary of the surviving, transforming, threatened natural world that we live in.
