ABOUT
For this school project, we immersed ourselves in the world of the Tarot de Marseille; Not with the intention of reproducing it, but of reinterpreting it. By selecting three major arcana cards, we explored their symbolism, both positive and negative, to create a personal and sensitive interpretation.
The main challenge was to let these cards speak through our own visual and symbolic language, offering a contemporary and intimate vision of this ancient imagery
The main challenge was to let these cards speak through our own visual and symbolic language, offering a contemporary and intimate vision of this ancient imagery
Tools: Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
XIX – The Sun
For this card, I chose to depict my own face, as the project is rooted in a personal and artistic interpretation of the Tarot. Using a self-portrait felt more meaningful than inventing an anonymous one — it reflects my own light, the one I strive to express through my visual work.
The color yellow, central to The Sun, symbolizes energy, warmth, optimism, and positivity. To balance its intensity, I introduced violet, its complementary color, evoking the ambivalence of the card — confidence versus illusion, light that can also blind.
The yellow circles around the eyes and the violet circle around the mouth suggest that being dazzled by one’s own light can hinder expression or lead to excess ego. Finally, the titles in English emphasize the universal and nomadic nature of the Tarot, allowing this project to reach beyond languages and borders.
XVI – The Cube
For this card, I chose to depict an exploding Rubik’s Cube, symbolizing a mental or emotional structure collapsing under pressure. The cube, usually associated with control and order, shatters here, reflecting the illusion of mastery breaking apart.
The dominant orange hue conveys both urgency and vitality, capturing the tension between loss and liberation. The scattered fragments and sharp lines express chaos, yet also transformation, what breaks can be rebuilt differently.
The Rubik’s Cube embodies the idea of a perfect solution, but in this card, its explosion represents the moment we accept not having control over everything, when breakdown becomes the start of renewal.
XVIII – The Moon
For this card, I chose to depict an upturned umbrella. By failing to fulfill its protective function, it symbolizes a moment of disorientation where our usual defense mechanisms collapse, leaving us exposed and overwhelmed. The surrounding rain and clouds reinforce this sense of vulnerability and overflowing emotions that we can no longer contain.
Yet, this failure serves a purpose. By collecting the falling rain, the umbrella nourishes two daisies growing at the bottom of the card. This reflects the card's positive message: our tears can nurture growth. To cry is to transform, allowing life to take root once again through our sorrow.
The color palette balances these themes. The dominant cool blue represents dreams and sadness, while soft pink suggests comfort. Finally, the vivid yellow at the heart of the flowers proves that light and gentleness can always emerge from our darkest phases.
For this card, I chose to depict an upturned umbrella. By failing to fulfill its protective function, it symbolizes a moment of disorientation where our usual defense mechanisms collapse, leaving us exposed and overwhelmed. The surrounding rain and clouds reinforce this sense of vulnerability and overflowing emotions that we can no longer contain.
Yet, this failure serves a purpose. By collecting the falling rain, the umbrella nourishes two daisies growing at the bottom of the card. This reflects the card's positive message: our tears can nurture growth. To cry is to transform, allowing life to take root once again through our sorrow.
The color palette balances these themes. The dominant cool blue represents dreams and sadness, while soft pink suggests comfort. Finally, the vivid yellow at the heart of the flowers proves that light and gentleness can always emerge from our darkest phases.