187cm x 187cm (74” x 74”)
Oil on Linen
2016
In Listening Close, Jeanne d’Arc stands as a sage among her younger kin, sharing the wisdom of survival amidst devastation. Though burnt and lifeless, she remains steadfast—an ancient sentinel passing down knowledge to the younger generation that surrounds her. The younger trees lean in, listening intently, their forms embodying both reverence and hope.
This work explores the enduring power of resilience and intergenerational connection in the face of loss. Jeanne d’Arc, though scarred, becomes a teacher, a symbol of endurance and guidance in a changing and fragile environment. The painting reminds us that within destruction, there is a chance for learning, adaptation, and survival—if we choose to listen close.