Invigorating
Horseradish · Passionfruit · Lavender
Emma Osborne
Details of artwork
“Invigorating”
Acrylic on canvas
600 x 900mm
Conceptual description
This stylised portrait’s intention is to convey the sensory experience of horseradish, passionfruit and lavender, and how the contrast of sharpness and softness, as well as spice and sweet, can become harmonious.
It begins with the initial surprise which the viewer feels upon experiencing the sharp, spicy sensation of horseradish when eaten. This is conveyed through the expressive subject of the painting, who is shown to be gasping in pleasant surprise.
Surrounding the subject are warm, yellow forms taking the shape of passionfruit and its seeds, which evokes a calming sweetness after the initial spice mellows out. Lavender petals gently float down around her face, providing a sense of serenity against a bold and invigorating sensation.
Jacob Littlejohns
The Music
Song Title - Passionfruit, Lavender, Horseradish
Using synthesised sounds, the song replicates the physical feeling and flavours the body undertakes while eating the food pairing, while giving a juxtaposition between the unfamiliar sounds playing and the familiar sensations of the dish itself.
Using warm, layered synths and subtly entrancing arpeggios, the listener is transported to a hypnotic state where they can fully immerse themselves in the dish, blocking out the world around them for only a brief moment.
Ritual Revival
The Experience
Roasted horseradish delivers a sudden burst of heat, creating an immediate moment of salivation and alertness. Dipping into passionfruit softens the intensity, introducing bright sweetness and warmth.
A gentle mist of lavender follows, diffusing the sharpness with floral calm. The experience moves from sharp surprise to aromatic relaxation, guiding the palate through contrast and resolution.
The Flavour Science
Horseradish releases isothiocyanates, volatile compounds that stimulate receptors in the nose and sinuses, producing its sharp, rising heat. Sweet and acidic elements such as passionfruit moderate this sensation while enhancing aromatic perception.
Lavender contains linalool, a compound associated with calming floral aromas. When introduced after spice, these aromatics soften intensity and shift sensory perception, creating a transition from stimulation to calm.
Together the flavours create a dynamic progression — sharp, bright and gently diffused.