Local artist takes home first place
The 8X10.5-inch painting depicts a figure watching those who have just passed on to the spirit world. Courtesy Owisokon Lahache
There are certain times in the year where the veil between human and Spirit World thins, and more of the living leave to join their ancestors. Artist Owisokon Lahache depicts that journey between life and death in one of her most recent paintings, one that’s since earned her a first-place jury prize at an ongoing exhibit in Malone, New York.
“It’s that time of the year. There’s been several people who have passed recently,” Lahache
said.
The 8X10.5-inch painting showcases a nocturnal scene in a forest. White figures can be seen from afar, and if you look closely enough, you can spot another figure watching as they pass by.
“You can see the person there watching the spirits going back and forth,” the artist said.
Her painting "Green Corn" is also featured in the exhibit. Courtesy Owisokon Lahache
The painting will continue to be displayed at the Foothills Art Society’s gallery until late April. It was the society that reached out to her to invite her to contribute to the show, where each participant was invited to submit entirely chromatic works.
Lahache opted for green, submitting not just the Sighting of the Veil, which earned her first place in the art show’s opening night on March 14, but also a second painting depicting a closeup of a corn field.
“The reason I chose green is because green is actually really hard to work with, so it shows your skill,” said Lahache, who painted both in the month leading up to the show. “I always try to push the limits of what I can do.”
“I paint freely, and actually what happens is when I start thinking about an idea that I want to do, I really process it internally. So, if I close my eyes, I can actually see the finished piece, and that’s what I work toward,” Lahache said.
She hopes her first painting might help to soothe the fear many have surrounding death.
“When people are having a baby here, everybody’s excited. They’re talking all about this little baby that’s coming,” Lahache said. “Well, the same thing happens on the other side. Our ancestors gather, and they’re waiting for us.”
“We’re all headed that way. None of us will live forever. So, it’s a healthier way to take a look at death and dying.”
One of her aunts had passed just before she began painting the piece and was front of mind for her while she laid the paint on the canvas, she said.
“We shouldn’t be afraid, because when our life here is done, how people remember us and the interactions we had are the most important,” Lahache said.
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Her paintings, which are up for sale, will continue to be displayed at the exhibit in Malone until April 26.
