Textile, acrylic paint
6” x 5”
“Starting in mid-August through the Fall millions of Monarch butterflies journey from Canada to Mexico. They complete this endeavor over multiple generations. I relate this to the way in which humans possess genetic memory. At times we respond to certain stimuli without having had the personal experience we are responding to. In this piece I correlate the generational memory of the monarch butterfly with the fictional character of Br’er Rabbit, a trickster character in African Diaspora mythology whose story has been passed down orally through generations.”
Noel’s work reflects on the butterfly journey, a visceral urge to move to a different place seeking refuge. As a survival instinct, ingrained in their DNA and inexplicably passed from generation to generation. Similarly, like butterflies, humans are taught from memory how to navigate to reach ancestral places, both physical and mental, that are havens-sacred, and tender. Places of respite and connection. Noel displays her generational memories through rabbit holes which symbolize experiences sh emay lack, but are still relevant to her history and how she navigates life today.
ARTIST BIO:
L’nique Noel is a visual artist with Caribbean background who grew up in South Florida after being born on the island of St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands. L’nique has a Bachelor’s degree in Art from Florida International University (2021) with minors in Art History, Sociology, and Anthropology. She is currently in her second year of the MFA program at the same institution. In her artistic career, she mostly works with painting and video art.
Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art with Minors in Art History, Sociology, and Anthropology in the spring of 2021, Anthropology plays a crucial role in Noel’s practice. Her research explores her own cultural background as well as the diverse cultures of others, influencing the subject matter in both her painting and video art. She learns about the fascinating similarities of traditions across countries despite geographical distances through anthropological research, which mirrors recurring themes in the floral patterns in her paintings. These floral patterns are inspired by research-based subjects or by the artist’s personal interests and experiences. When floral components are not used, her artwork adds elements of repetition.
In her video works, Noel creates short films and performance pieces that delve into her medical histories, exploring the intricacies of how blood functions within and outside the human body. This investigation adds a dynamic layer to her artistic expression, providing a distinctive viewpoint on personal and physiological narratives.