Inspiration:
I was inspired by The Ripley Scroll, an extraordinary manuscript nearly 6 metres long that describes the creation of the fabled Philosopher’s Stone, dating back to the 15th century. Its imagery, symbolism, and compositions are fascinating, especially how deliberately ambiguous and layered each element is. Each figure, color, and compositional choice appears intentionally layered, inviting observation and interpretation rather than offering immediate clarity. It creates a sense of mystery, encouraging us to navigate between literal and metaphorical meanings.

In my own painting, I wanted to attempt this sense of complexity, its flowing composition, and its ability to guide the viewer’s eye through a sequence of symbolic motifs that suggest transformation, life, death and the unknown.