She Sang Through the Flood

About the work

Mixed media on canvas. Ink, Acrylic, gold leaf

Framed in black wood, L shaped—100 x 50 x 5 cm. (39″x 19.6″ x 2″)

She Sang Through the Flood draws on a piece of folklore linked to the biblical flood — the tale that the magpie refused to board the ark, choosing instead to remain outside in the storm, chattering and singing through the rain.

The work explores that moment of refusal: a small but powerful act of rebellion woven into a story about survival and obedience. The magpie becomes a symbol of choosing one’s own path, even when safety lies elsewhere.

Layered colour, movement, and mark-making create a sense of rising energy and emotional tension, echoing the chaos of the storm itself. Rather than fear, the painting holds resilience, defiance, and the quiet power of staying true to instinct when everything around you is shifting.