Carmen Ceniga Prado’s Rite of Passage is a testament to the raw and visceral journey she underwent through pregnancy and postpartum, capturing the essence of motherhood in a way that is both deeply personal and universally relatable. Curated by Christina J. Chua, the exhibition goes beyond the surface of her abstract medium, delving into the profound physical, emotional, and spiritual changes that accompany the life-altering experience that is motherhood. 

Carmen’s concept of a “Rite of Passage” transcends the traditional idea of a simple transition. Instead, she views it as a profound cycle that one must break through. For Carmen, this journey involved navigating the significant changes in her body and identity.

“There is so much pain, love, overstimulation, tiredness, sleepiness—all of these feelings are completely foreign in your body. It’s deeply humbling and not at all romantic. It’s shocking, even if you think you’re prepared”. 

Carmen Ceniga Prado in her studio in Seoul

The series began during an intensely emotional and physically demanding time in Carmen’s life. The first piece, Descent Down the Birth Canal, was created while she was in labour.

“I couldn’t paint much during the last stages of pregnancy as I was too overwhelmed. I worked on the first piece during my contractions. My pre-labour lasted for four days. I couldn’t sleep, so I had to get up and start painting”. 

This raw and immediate connection to her work continued throughout the early months of motherhood, with Carmen painting at a slower, more deliberate pace. The result is a series of paintings that embody the patience and presence required during the postpartum period, opening up a new phase in her artistic journey.

Carmen’s choice of colour and materials in Rite of Passage is primordial and symbolic. She uses primary colours: black and white to represent yin and yang; red for flesh and the womb; deep blue for the ocean, and the origins of life in amniotic fluid. Her more recent use of natural pigments for the works in this exhibition further emphasises Carmen’s connection to the earth and the body, though they also presented challenges as these materials behave differently from synthetic ones. These colours are also applied with acrylic and ink using large Chinese ink brushes, which Carmen favours for their ability to capture the circulation of energy in her work. 

“The natural, earthy pigments of ochre look like blood. They embody a viscerality that I am interested in.”

The artist draws parallels between the fluidity of water and Qi, the life force that flows through the body. Thus, the theme of water in Carmen’s work extends beyond the physical realm into the spiritual, where it could also become a symbol of cleansing. Her paintings, in this context, are not mere visual representations of a singular woman’s season of life, but rituals that draw us into the deeper and more hidden realms of the human experience.

“For me—to paint those darker phases—has been such a journey. It’s an endless well. It never stops. You can only go deeper. But in turn, it allows for insightful contemplation”.

Although Carmen’s work in Rite of Passage is informed by her appreciation for other artists like Ana Mendieta and Helen Frankenthaler, she emphasises that her approach differs significantly from the spontaneous, gestural style of Abstract Expressionism.

“I’m not this person who just has this performative act on the canvas. I take my time, I really check in with myself with a complete body scan before I start painting. The fact that the paintings are grounded in a clear physical response is very important for me. It’s really not about their materiality alone.”

In Rite of Passage, Carmen Ceniga Prado offers more than just a series of abstract paintings. It provides a deeply personal window into the soul of motherhood. Carmen’s work captures the pain, love, and transformation of bringing new life into the world, inviting viewers to share in this profound journey.

About the Exhibition: 

Carmen Ceniga Prado: Rite of Passage

14 September – 2 October 2024

Sullivan+Strumpf, Singapore