Mortificatio | Jacqui Mason

Exhibiting May 19 - 26, 2026

"Derived from the Latin word to describe a “death” of the old self, Mortificatio, confronts the painful but necessary transformative phase in grief, which leads to rebirth and hidden happiness. The triptych serves as a reflection of my life, as I have balanced my spirituality with internal negotiations about life and death. I spent a long time angry at my younger self, innocent and unready to walk with death so intimately, for not dealing with my emotions and actions in the “right way” shortly after experiencing traumatic deaths around me. The imagery created represents the conflict felt, absorbing and releasing so many emotions as we grow within our grief, and for me, rediscovering spirituality after walking away from faith. I found myself stuck in emotionally taxing and liminal spaces where answers were craved, but uncertainties continued to spiral with little space for healing. I now find myself in constant reflection on myself, my actions, thoughts, and path going forward, understanding that each moment is intertwined and can be used as a tool to help us move forward. Mortificatio represents this complex internal journey of healing through it all. 

Their work, which often explores the potential tangibility of the metaphysical; given a soul, emotions, memory, or trauma, is at the centre of their work. Light and storytelling visually articulate spectral explorations and emotional vulnerability in healing from grief. Through intimate reflection, the soul may be given grace to heal and explore life in a new light. Another element of their work flourishes through conversation and connection, as well as the openness of personal experiences surrounding spirituality, death, and grief. Each of their works often builds upon one another as a way to find meaning and healing in their life, foster connection with others, and grow in their exploration of spirituality."

About the Artist

Jacqui Mason is a Canadian interdisciplinary artist completing their undergrad in Fine Arts with a minor in religion, culture, and spirituality at the University of Waterloo. Their past membership in Catholicism and investigations into family histories related to suicide and cancer diagnoses inform their research on the intersection of spirituality and healing. Their art practice is a way for them to visually describe the ethereal in the mundane, which has helped inform their worldview and understanding of life's transience. They have received numerous awards, including the Geoffrey F. Buttler Award, the Auggie Corvino Memorial Award, Curator’s Choice Award, and the University of Waterloo President’s Scholarship. They have had their work featured in magazines such as Kultekst and Creators Collective, as well as in two juried group shows with the Cambridge Centre for the Arts, at the University of Waterloo Art Gallery, and at the Toronto Outdoor Art Fair as part of the Student Art Innovation Lab.

Featured Work

Title: Mortificatio

Year: 2026

Size: 44" x 100"

Medium: Painted photographs in gilded MDF frames with acrylic details