Ephemeral One - Genevieve May | JM Art Management
The symbolism of black butterflies appears in many cultures often carrying themes of death, transformation or messages from the spirit world. In Irish folklore black butterflies are seen as the souls of the dead who are wandering or visiting loved ones. In Latin American folklore they are often an omen that someone may die soon, but others see it more gently; as a soul come to say goodbye or deliver a final blessing. In East Asian traditions butterflies are also seen as messengers between worlds. A black butterfly can mean the spirit of an ancestor is near or watching over the living. Beyond folklore, black butterflies have come to represent profound transformation through loss or darkness, they embody the idea that even in endings, there is metamorphosis. There is something bittersweet about the idea of letting go of something old so something new can emerge. I find it bizarre but comforting how people all over the world, throughout time and distance, share common beliefs in the symbolic meanings carried out by animals. It’s a reminder that no matter how different our languages or landscapes may be, we’ve always turned to the creatures around us to help us name what’s too big or too mysterious to hold alone. Much like the black butterfly’s symbolism, dreams have a way of leaving marks on us. Sometimes they stir up the grief we carry deep down but other times they give us a gentle escape from reality’s demands. In this painting, I wanted to capture the quiet ache of loss that often visits me in dreams. For me, the black butterfly in this painting represents loved ones I can’t hold in the waking hours. Their presence feels vivid but ephemeral in my sleep, like a tease, a sweet relief before resuming the day. I have found that dreams can be just as heartbreaking as they are healing. They can offer such sweet relief or become something we dread to face upon drifting off to sleep. And while dreams won’t bring them back to us completely, all we can ask for is a visitation once in a while, the ability to linger there in the world of dreaming for just a little longer.