In my vision, alchemy is an art of purification: transforming corrupt matter into a state of absolute perfection. In this process, the porcelain vase holds the Water of Life that “washes” away the ashes of the past, allowing the soul (the maiden’s head) to re-emerge pure and radiant. This is the essence of palingenesis, a magical rebirth marking a return to the original purity, where the soul returns to life in a noble and untainted form.
The addition of the Khokhloma style frame is an elegant tribute to the Slavic folk tradition that shaped my own childhood, a precious shell protecting this rebirth. Much like the lotus flower rising untouched from the mud, this work is a gentle invitation to trust the process of life because every end is the beginning of a more radiant bloom.