Women in Art 278 Magazine October 2017 | Page 23

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Jennifer Mourin is a self-taught Malaysian artist of Eurasian descent, living and working in Penang Island. She uses acrylics and oil inks, and her art features and celebrates the strength of women, and the power of the feminine. Memories of her mother’s Thai village in the state of Kelantan have turned her love of sarongs into totems of her art. A recurring theme is breastfeeding women, as Jennifer is incredulous how such a loving, nurturing act is often considered controversial or even “obscene” in society. Mothers deserve to be supported and loved. ABOVE The Mystery Acrylic and Oil Ink on Canvas 20 x 20 inches Influenced by the eternal search for balance and fulfillment of the souls’ spiritual journey, and the pursuit of understanding of one’s’ reality within the context of life on earth. LEFT the question Acrylic and Oil Ink on Canvas 20 x 20 inches With her Mother Gaia Series 2017, a new journey has begun. Jennifer’s new work imbibes the soul’s search for balance in our lives, understanding of one’s place on earth and the strength of earth as “the mother,” protector and defender. Reading the news, and exposure to the internet and social media, has exposed Jennifer to the numerous ways human kind continues to exploit, destroy, and deplete this planet: bringing home the huge challenges facing our Mother, Mother Gaia. Reflecting on her pain and despair at how Mother Gaia/Earth continues being so disrespected and abused — and how the animals humankind should be protecting are brutally abused and hunted to death and near extinction — has created an undeniable need in Jennifer to do something with her art, and to assert the Feminine Power of Mother Gaia. RIGHT The Gift   Acrylic and Oil Ink on Canvas 20 x 30 inches Mother Gaia/Earth gifts us with sustenance, survival and abundance everyday but she continues being so disrespected, raped and abused. Hers is a Gift we should be appreciating, loving and protecting, and not abusing, exploiting and killing - something humankind needs to comprehend at the risk of our own survival. ART 23 pag e