by Jordan Lienhoop
During Lent 2018, Meena Matocha’s process of art making radically changed. After experiencing loss within her family and community, she began using ash, charcoal, and soil to create deeply emotive paintings—a way of physically and spiritually grappling with the reality of both grief and joy in this life. Both figurative and abstracted, Meena’s work invites slower looking and contemplation through its many layers, materials, and expressive forms.
See more of Meena’s work on her Instagram @meenamatochaart and Facebook page.
“A Prayer in Times of Isolation” by Meena Matocha. 36”x48”, 2020.
“Redemption of Ashes I” by Meena Matocha. Commissioned by Church of the Cross Austin for Lent and Easter 2018. Charcoal, ashes, acrylic and wax on panel, 48”x36”.
“Where O Death is Your Sting?” by Meena Matocha. Charcoal, ashes, acrylic, & cold wax on panel.
“Gravity and Grace” by Meena Matocha. Charcoal, ashes, soil, acrylic and wax on panel, 36x48”, 2019.
“Through a Glass Darkly” by Meena Matocha. Charcoal, ashes, soil, acrylic, wax on panel, 12”x12”, 2019.
“Covid Journal” by Meena Matocha. Fine art paper print of ink sketch on watercolor paper, 2020-2021.