“Gilded Bruises” 2020

Piece # 7 in Jessica’s new collection: “Transcendence” 2020.

20x30x2” original mixed media artwork affixed to deep cradled Birchwood. The beautiful piece of original artwork is encapsulated in several layers of artist-grade epoxy resin for a glass-like finish. The piece has a contemporary antique look that is accented with stunning pops of Gold leaf channeling the Japanese tradition of Kintsugi: the art of repairing broken pottery by mending the areas of breakage with Gold.

Hanging wire is installed on the back of each piece. Your artwork will come signed, dated and branded by the artist with a certificate of authenticity.

*Make 4 interest free payments with the Klarna app.

Meaning behind the piece:

This piece is a representation of the healing process after an intense heartbreak and dissolution of an abusive or unhealthy relationship. It channels the often unglamorous aspects of moving out of an oppressive relationship into a feeling of empowerment and independence. After several years in a relationship that attempted to define her very existence as a woman and lover Jessica' hopes this piece speaks to all healing hearts as an ode to the messy process of moving forward. This piece serves as a reclaiming of the parts of herself she lost in those years spent trying to prove her worth and love-ability. Bruises gilded in Gold is a symbol for how beautiful heartbreak can be, once we put back the pieces.

I heard somewhere that when the heart breaks it bleeds through...

When I picture the color of blood I picture red though, you probably do too.

But what most people grow up believing isn’t always true...

Blood isn’t really red - it’s actually blue.

Blue is the color a bruise turns before it goes black.

It’s the color of the tears that fell when the person I loved didn’t come back.

Black is the color of an endless sleep with one long hellish bad dream.

It’s the color of being abandoned, abused and unseen.

Black and blue together however can be the colors of true healing.

Of time passing, blood vessels forming and mending hearts feeling.

People can break our hearts, make us bleed.

They can tell us lies and continuously deceive.

But what they can never do is break our spirit...

They can yell, scream and manipulate until you can no longer hear it.

You might walk away believing you’ll never find love.

You can wonder how and if you’ll ever be enough.

The trick is not falling into the trap of abuse...

To stand your ground, remain tough and refuse.

At the end of it all it’s just another chapter closed...another healing story told.

So when you look back at the black and blue bruises you only see gold.

© Jessica Young 2020