Meggan Joy Turns Botanical Elements Into Human-Like Figures

By
Chris L
-

Seattle-based artist Meggan Joy creates beautiful, flowery, human-like figures. The process begins with her planting the seeds and lasts for months. Joy carefully cultivates her plants in a community garden all summer long. Once they’re in fool bloom, she starts snapping photos and combines them into digital collages that represent female bodies. The collages are enriched with birds, butterflies, and other garden life.

“Color and texture form each woman’s shape, and from the photographs of once-living individual things, portraits of ethereal beings begin to emerge,” the artist tells This is Colossal. Her latest series, titled Battle Cry, shows women in conflict.

Scroll down to see her works. You can find more of Joy’s works on her Instagram page.

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TW: sexual violence and self harm ———————————————————————— Lucretia is a woman who was raped and blackmailed, who then stabbed herself to reclaim her reputation. A suicide that is not only credited for commencing the rebellion that overthrew the Roman monarchy but also depicted by (mostly male) artists ever since. ⠀ ———————————————————————— ⠀ You'll find versions of her throughout the art world, usually bare-chested and plunging a dagger into her chest. Some are more romanticized than others, but mine is possibly the most. Constructed of wispy meadow, including bluebells from my mother's garden, she uproots herself, raising her weapon in defense.⠀ ———————————————————————— ⠀ I've been too scared to make a Lucretia for years, but a collection under the title 'Battle Cry' must include my variant of her. I can only hope my humble contribution to this lore offers a bit of a narrative shift. ———————————————————————— ⠀ Swipe to see my personal favorite Lucretia, produced by Rembrandt in 1666 (one of his last works) – her face is haunting and so familiar, its as if we all know her. (Also depicted is me, with Parmigianino's Lecretia from 1540. Which traveled to @seattleartmuseum this last Fall.) ———————————————————————— ⠀ It’s hard to share a 50”x30” artwork on such a tiny screen, hopefully you’ll be able to safely visit her at @jrinehartgallery // #mj_battlecry

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Detail of 'Weep & Wail' – full of heart and wrath. ⠀ ————————————————————————⠀ Battle Cry is a collection of new work depicting anonymous women in various stages of an unnamed conflict. ⠀ ————————————————————————⠀ "Choose to fight only righteous fights, because then when things get tough – and they will – you will know there is only (one) option ahead of you; nevertheless, you must persist." – Elizabeth Warren @elizabethwarren ⠀ ————————————————————————⠀ Battle Cry opens June 13th. I can’t wait to share these women with you. ⠀ ————————————————————————⠀ On view at @jrinehartgallery // #mj_battlecry

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New ✨ I had big plans to post my first teaser of the work for Battle Cry yesterday, the first day of Spring. But life is real weird these days, and didn’t feel like engaging in my real life in anyway. ———————————————————————— @jrinehartgallery and I are committed to continuing our plans for Battle Cry to open May 31st as long as it’s safe to do so, and will get creative if need be. We both will be sharing updates and either way, I can’t wait to share with you what I’v been making. I’m so proud of this work. ———————————————————————— In the mean time, he’s a peak at the world’s cutest cellulite. // #mj_battlecry

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“Chase the Luck” made in 48hours for @photocenternw #chasethelight2019 – it’s like 3:30am and I’m cranky and can’t see straight, so someone better buy this thing and give PCNW a ton of money. ———————————————————————— Made entirely from a bouquet I bought from the market Saturday morning, and of course my sweet baby mantis friends. ✨ Inspired by a photo my friend @ellles_bellls sent me of her own hand, because I guess she’s my muse now? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ ———————————————————————— I’m still keeping it low key in the social media thing, just popping in quickly to let you know I did the damn thing. 🖤 Thanks for being understanding with me making a bit of space. I’ll be back soon. ———————————————————————— Ps. All nighters in your thirty’s are doozies. #allhailcoffee

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"An Attempt Was Made” ———————————————————————— This piece is so special to me. My art nerd self loves that it showcases some of my favorite flowers (love lies bleeding) and that the arrowheads are 3D printed to be historically accurate. And while making the ruffs was incredibly tedious, I do love the elegance they bring. ———————————————————————— But, the most important part of this work is my intentions. I wanted to depict the strength it takes to manage our own mental health. ———————————————————————— I wanted to illustrate the moment that someone decides to save themselves. ———————————————————————— To pull an arrow from oneself, youd break the arrow from the back, then pull the remaining front forward. An act of perseverance that hurts more than leaving it be. ———————————————————————— This work is dedicated and inspired by my two friends; @ellles_bellls and @saraintheweeds whose own mental health journey guided my own. I owe so much to both of you. So thankful I have you. ———————————————————————— ps. IG didn't let me post this at first. lol #flowertits 😳

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