Sub rosa translates literally from Latin to “under the rose”, the rose being a symbol of secrecy since ancient times. These ten paintings were made as I explored my relationship with different types of intimacy; intimacy with a partner, intimacy with the self, and with the spaces I inhabit. Discussions of intimacy are often painted as taboo in our society: an act of intimacy in a private space is often seen as something to be embarrassed by. However, the cloak of privacy we spread over intimacy also creates a secret for each of us to hold and reveal only to those we choose.

These paintings were made with cold encaustic.