INSANE IN THE MONTAIGNE
Portrait of Australian singer and songwriter MONTAIGNE (aka Jess Cerro)
FINALIST - 2017 PORTIA GEACH MEMORIAL ART PRIZE
FEATURED - 2019 ADORN ME by POETSARTISTS, curated by CAROL HODES and featured in BEAUTIFUL BIZARRE MAGAZINE
I first heard Montaigne's voice, sounding like an exquisite fusion of Björk and Kate Bush, on the radio. From Triple J Unearthed High finalist in 2012 to ARIA Award winner in 2016 for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, singer-songwriter Montaigne (aka Jess Cerro) has worked with artists such as Hilltop Hoods, Megan Washington, San Cisco and Japanese Wallpaper.
To me, however, she evoked the New Romantics of the '80s: Adam and the Ants and Spandau Ballet, Boy George and Duran Duran, an era I’m utterly fascinated with.
Jess exudes an intriguing combination of sassy confidence and eccentricity, layered with sensitive vulnerability. An idiosyncratic creature, her music explores the emotional and deeply personal sides of her life, connecting with her audience through the sheer honesty and sincerity of her lyrics.
And when, on the day of our first sitting, she emerged in a decadent costume of frills, flounces and passementerie, I just knew I was going to have fun with this painting!
BREAKING NEWS: MONTAIGNE WILL BE REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA AT EUROVISION 2020