NAFT Billboard #03

Joëlle Dubois - One summer day when I went into my garden

“It is a self-portrait, but this work digs deeper. It is a tribute to femininity. Inspired by the work of Japanese artist Mayumi Oda, the garden and strawberry symbolize fertility, making it a subtle reference to the essence of Mother Earth, an entity I cherish deeply. By depicting a lush garden, which is often associated with the 'garden of earthly delights', I paint myself naked in nature, pure, where I can be myself, without any obstacles, without any hesitation,” says Joëlle Dubois.

Joëlle Dubois (1990, Ghent) is widely known for her bold and colorful paintings that explore the impact of social media on women. Her work reflects the confused zeitgeist of today, with a mix of hope, feminism, obsession and superficiality. The work that the NAFT Billboard shows was created in 2023 on 56x76cm and is part of a trilogy that highlights the strength and power of women through symbolism. Each work within this series is an ode to the inherent power that lies within women.