Pulchra est Virginitas Intacta
Celeste GroenewaldCeleste Groenewald uses soft pastel to map the friction between the sacred and the grotesque, layering pigment on tinted paper to reveal a portrait caught in a state of spiritual transition. The work balances delicate floral elements against unsettling horror themes, grounding a complex collage of human experience in a singular, haunting gaze.

Pulchra est Virginitas Intacta
Celeste Groenewald uses soft pastel to map the friction between the sacred and the grotesque, layering pigment on tinted paper to reveal a portrait caught in a state of spiritual transition. The work balances delicate floral elements against unsettling horror themes, grounding a complex collage of human experience in a singular, haunting gaze.
A meaningful share of this purchase goes directly to Celeste Groenewald.
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Art Analysis
A haunting dialogue between the sacred and the monstrous
Groenewald utilizes the velvety texture of soft pastel on tinted paper to build a composition that feels both sacred and visceral. The work centers on a portrait that merges traditional iconography with horror elements, using geometric interactions and floral accents to balance the weight of its darker themes. The choice of tinted paper provides a mid-tone depth, allowing the highlights to glow with a spiritual intensity while shadows harbor more unsettling, unseen details.
This piece functions as a collage of human experiences, where belief systems and internal growth are mapped out through symbolic representation. By blending Eastern art influences with a raw, contemplative exploration of the body, the artist invites a look at the duality of existence—the harmony found in diversity and the inevitable presence of the monstrous within the divine.
The artwork leans into the unsettling allure of the supernatural, presenting a figure that feels both ancient and otherworldly.
The piece explores the journey of the soul by weaving together feline mythology and ecclesiastical imagery.
The composition pushes the viewer to find comfort in ambiguity and the mysteries of the void.
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