Kitsune Jolene (Jolien De Waele, 1992) is a female artist hailing from Ghent, Belgium. Her colourful and emotive works centre around creating human atmospheres that make space for the observer to recognise pieces of themselves. Best known for her dreamy depictions, these universes of emotions and storytelling are always tied together by her recognisable colour palette. Her choice of inspiration is usually connected to either personal life stories or mythology, folklore or locally sourced stories.
Jolene’s mural is a twist on the mythology around Celtic mother goddess Danu, combined with the river Lee running through Cork alongside the piece on Sullivans Quay which reflects the Milky Way on clear nights. “I like to think that even today, no matter who you meet or cross paths with on the streets, they could be gods in disguise. These ‘modern classics‘ are a lot of fun for me to do as a take on that. The woman I’ve painted is a bit anonymous with just the sliver of her face visible, adding to the notion she could be anyone, passing through the streets of Cork. The stars and galaxies are spinning out of her red hair as a nod to the movement and flow of the river, the heart and soul of Cork City shaping and defining the energy of the city”.
“The truth is not known, beneath the sky of stars, Whether they were of heaven or earth.” Line from a poem out of The Book of Invasions (Lebor Gebála Érénn compiled c.1150)
Photographer Credit: Clare Keogh
