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Jenny Ouellet
2025 - Red Decline Series
This series explores the destruction and irreversibility of fire. Through geometric compositions reminiscent of mosaics, flames unfold in shades of orange-red, yellow, blue-grey, and yellow-grey, consuming trees and houses. Movement is ever-present, suggesting both combustion and collapse.
As in the series on floods, birds in flight cross the canvases—silent witnesses to the chaos—perhaps hinting at a thread of continuity, a glimmer of hope amid disaster. What once was, will be no more. Beyond ecological catastrophe, the series also resonates as a broader metaphor: a parallel with crumbling structures, notably the weakening of democracy south of Canada.
Red Whisper
Acrylic on canvas, 65'' x 48''
Part of the Red Decline series, Red Whisper evokes a forest fire in an atmosphere dominated by shades of gray, as if frozen at the threshold of calm. Organic geometric shapes in red, orange, and yellow unfold along the scorched outlines of trees. A yellow ribbon, taking on the appearance of a face, overlays the scene — a reminder of human presence at the heart of environmental disruption. The ground, exposed and burning, reveals roots intertwined with strict geometric forms in warm tones. This quiet piece captures the fragile moment between chaos and resilience.
Part of the Red Decline series, Red Whisper evokes a forest fire in an atmosphere dominated by shades of gray, as if frozen at the threshold of calm. Organic geometric shapes in red, orange, and yellow unfold along the scorched outlines of trees. A yellow ribbon, taking on the appearance of a face, overlays the scene — a reminder of human presence at the heart of environmental disruption. The ground, exposed and burning, reveals roots intertwined with strict geometric forms in warm tones. This quiet piece captures the fragile moment between chaos and resilience.
In the Shadow of Fire
Acrylic on canvas, 66'' x 48''
In the Shadow of Fire, part of the Red Decline series, depicts the remnants of a still-active blaze. The composition, structured in three distinct planes, offers a layered reading of the disaster. In the upper section, burning buildings are consumed by flames; the fires are represented through geometric forms, in line with the visual language of the series. In the middle, a more stable zone evokes the ground: a mosaic of static shapes in warm and gray tones that echoes the chaotic movement of the burning structures. In the lower section, a gray couple, motionless, appears to be waiting—curled up in a kind of cavern. This superimposition of planes invites reflection on the human position in the face of catastrophe — between exposure, withdrawal, and waiting.Acrylic on canvas,
In the Shadow of Fire, part of the Red Decline series, depicts the remnants of a still-active blaze. The composition, structured in three distinct planes, offers a layered reading of the disaster. In the upper section, burning buildings are consumed by flames; the fires are represented through geometric forms, in line with the visual language of the series. In the middle, a more stable zone evokes the ground: a mosaic of static shapes in warm and gray tones that echoes the chaotic movement of the burning structures. In the lower section, a gray couple, motionless, appears to be waiting—curled up in a kind of cavern. This superimposition of planes invites reflection on the human position in the face of catastrophe — between exposure, withdrawal, and waiting.Acrylic on canvas,
Étreinte Embrasée (Blazing Embrace)
Acrylic on canvas, 67'' x 51''
Étreinte embrasée (Blazing Embrace) is part of the Red Decline series. In this work, a forest is consumed by flames — not depicted literally, but through vibrant geometric forms. A few tree trunks remain visible within the blaze. The flames appear to reflect on the surface of water, creating a disturbing duality between destruction and memory. In the shadow of the fire, a curled-up figure embodies fear and fragility. Above, birds cross a smoke-filled sky — recurring symbols of resilience and hope throughout the series. The contrast between abstraction and figuration invites reflection on the emotional and ecological impact of fire, both as a natural force and as a metaphor for societal decline.
Étreinte embrasée (Blazing Embrace) is part of the Red Decline series. In this work, a forest is consumed by flames — not depicted literally, but through vibrant geometric forms. A few tree trunks remain visible within the blaze. The flames appear to reflect on the surface of water, creating a disturbing duality between destruction and memory. In the shadow of the fire, a curled-up figure embodies fear and fragility. Above, birds cross a smoke-filled sky — recurring symbols of resilience and hope throughout the series. The contrast between abstraction and figuration invites reflection on the emotional and ecological impact of fire, both as a natural force and as a metaphor for societal decline.
L'ouragan rouge (Red Hurricane)
Acfrylic oncanvas, 31'' X 68''
Red Hurricane is part of the Red Decline series and evokes a hurricane of fire, where destructive force takes on an almost mythical dimension. In a vast circular movement, houses seem to be swept up by the storm, torn from their foundations and consumed by flames. At the heart of this fiery whirlwind, an eye appears, like a silent presence observing the chaos. Around it, dark shapes, reminiscent of charred branches, are carried away in the spiral, reinforcing the impression of a world in the grip of devastation.
Red Hurricane is part of the Red Decline series and evokes a hurricane of fire, where destructive force takes on an almost mythical dimension. In a vast circular movement, houses seem to be swept up by the storm, torn from their foundations and consumed by flames. At the heart of this fiery whirlwind, an eye appears, like a silent presence observing the chaos. Around it, dark shapes, reminiscent of charred branches, are carried away in the spiral, reinforcing the impression of a world in the grip of devastation.
The Burning Edge
Acrylic on canvas 58'' X 32''– Red Decline series
In this fully abstract work, fire takes center stage. A glowing red floods the canvas, evoking the intensity of a blaze in full force. Gradually, the colour shifts into hues of blue-grey and pink, where strict-edged geometric forms seem to float.
A yellow ribbon, shaped like an inverted Y, runs from top to bottom, dividing the upper half of the composition into two zones. On the right, traces of fire’s passage — desolation, smoke, charred branches, extinguished embers — form a landscape still warm, nearly silent. On the left, the blaze is still alive. Flaming embers rise skyward in a vertical motion, like a final incandescent breath; a bed of smouldering organic shapes simmers below.
This "burning edge" marks a tipping point — between combustion and quiet, between chaos and what remains. Without any figuration, the painting still suggests a presence, a tension, an unstable terrain.
In this fully abstract work, fire takes center stage. A glowing red floods the canvas, evoking the intensity of a blaze in full force. Gradually, the colour shifts into hues of blue-grey and pink, where strict-edged geometric forms seem to float.
A yellow ribbon, shaped like an inverted Y, runs from top to bottom, dividing the upper half of the composition into two zones. On the right, traces of fire’s passage — desolation, smoke, charred branches, extinguished embers — form a landscape still warm, nearly silent. On the left, the blaze is still alive. Flaming embers rise skyward in a vertical motion, like a final incandescent breath; a bed of smouldering organic shapes simmers below.
This "burning edge" marks a tipping point — between combustion and quiet, between chaos and what remains. Without any figuration, the painting still suggests a presence, a tension, an unstable terrain.
Le solitaire en feu (The Lone One in Flames)
Acrylic on canvas, 66'' X 37''
This painting captures the suspended moment of a solitary tree consumed by a fire that engulfs the horizon. The tree, a figure both fragile and resilient, stands at the heart of an intense blaze, its roots plunged into a muffled heat that ravages the ground.
The stacked organic forms, separated by a ribbon of heat, evoke the fragmentation and fragility of a declining ecosystem. Beneath them, the inverted silhouettes of houses symbolize human vulnerability in the face of this environmental catastrophe.
“The Lone One in Flames” is a tribute to resilience amid destruction, a meditation on the impact of devastating fires and on the feeling of solitude and helplessness that ecological crisis can bring.
This painting captures the suspended moment of a solitary tree consumed by a fire that engulfs the horizon. The tree, a figure both fragile and resilient, stands at the heart of an intense blaze, its roots plunged into a muffled heat that ravages the ground.
The stacked organic forms, separated by a ribbon of heat, evoke the fragmentation and fragility of a declining ecosystem. Beneath them, the inverted silhouettes of houses symbolize human vulnerability in the face of this environmental catastrophe.
“The Lone One in Flames” is a tribute to resilience amid destruction, a meditation on the impact of devastating fires and on the feeling of solitude and helplessness that ecological crisis can bring.
Incandescent Fall
Acrylic on canvas, 58" x 51"
In this composition where abstraction meets recognizable forms, a row of burning houses stretches across the horizon. Two yellow bands run along the canvas, tracing soft curves that evoke the outline of an hourglass — passing through the buildings like a silent threat or an invisible measure of accelerating time.
The flames emerge from a structure of geometric shapes, at times strict, at times organic like embers, all heightening the tension of the painting. Movements of water, also suggested, overlap without easing the scene. Here, fire and water are teammates of the same imbalance.
This incandescent fall evokes the slow breakdown of our reference points — habitats, rhythms, time — and lets linger the idea of a time that is fragmenting. A fragile balance, suspended in irreversible drift.
In this composition where abstraction meets recognizable forms, a row of burning houses stretches across the horizon. Two yellow bands run along the canvas, tracing soft curves that evoke the outline of an hourglass — passing through the buildings like a silent threat or an invisible measure of accelerating time.
The flames emerge from a structure of geometric shapes, at times strict, at times organic like embers, all heightening the tension of the painting. Movements of water, also suggested, overlap without easing the scene. Here, fire and water are teammates of the same imbalance.
This incandescent fall evokes the slow breakdown of our reference points — habitats, rhythms, time — and lets linger the idea of a time that is fragmenting. A fragile balance, suspended in irreversible drift.
Burning Oscillation
Acrylic on canvas, 31'' x 58''
Burning Oscillation is the first work in the Red Decline series. Entirely abstract, it explores the power of a wildfire without using any figuration. Fire is expressed through a vibrant composition where energy, violence, and the raw force of combustion unfold. Smoke, ever-present, rises in swirling forms, while the flames spread with an almost rhythmic motion. In the lower section, a relative calm begins to emerge: gray and pinkish shapes evoke the ripples left on the water’s surface by a thrown stone — an image of resonance and propagation. This piece sets the tone for the series: an inner fire, restless and in constant transformation.
Burning Oscillation is the first work in the Red Decline series. Entirely abstract, it explores the power of a wildfire without using any figuration. Fire is expressed through a vibrant composition where energy, violence, and the raw force of combustion unfold. Smoke, ever-present, rises in swirling forms, while the flames spread with an almost rhythmic motion. In the lower section, a relative calm begins to emerge: gray and pinkish shapes evoke the ripples left on the water’s surface by a thrown stone — an image of resonance and propagation. This piece sets the tone for the series: an inner fire, restless and in constant transformation.
Mire de feu (Fire Target)
Acrylic on canvas, 56'' x 58''
Mire de feu (Fire Target), part of the Red Decline series, offers an aerial view of a burning forest. The fire unfolds as a blaze composed of both organic and rigid geometric shapes, embodying the violence and precision of the phenomenon. Amid the flames, birds in flight — recurring symbols of hope and resilience throughout the series — cross the composition. This confrontation between destruction and vitality evokes the chaos of wildfires and nature’s persistence in the face of environmental upheaval. Through its elevated perspective, the work invites viewers to take a step back from the catastrophe, to grasp its complexity and scope.
Mire de feu (Fire Target), part of the Red Decline series, offers an aerial view of a burning forest. The fire unfolds as a blaze composed of both organic and rigid geometric shapes, embodying the violence and precision of the phenomenon. Amid the flames, birds in flight — recurring symbols of hope and resilience throughout the series — cross the composition. This confrontation between destruction and vitality evokes the chaos of wildfires and nature’s persistence in the face of environmental upheaval. Through its elevated perspective, the work invites viewers to take a step back from the catastrophe, to grasp its complexity and scope.
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