Metamorphosis

Life, in all its complexity, emerges from the rudimentary elements of the Earth. From our very first breath, our bodies are woven from these earthly substances. As the cycle of life dictates, these bodies will eventually disintegrate back into the very elements from which they originated. Elements of nature and the human body intertwine in various ways in these portraits, inviting viewers to reflect on our bodily metamorphosis.

Water, an element fundamental to life, carries a dual nature: it can sustain us, yet also holds a potential peril. Bodies surrendering to its embrace, can express a haunting beauty. The serenity of the figures engulfed by water contrasts sharply with the inherent danger of drowning, capturing the delicate balance between life and death.

Earth, in its essence, also embodies a duality. It is the very ground we cultivate to nourish our bodies, yet it ultimately becomes our final resting place. In the images, the cracking earth silently reclaims the bodies in its shelter. The fusion of flesh and soil gives birth to fertile ground, where vegetation thrives and new life emerges. Herein lies the cyclical nature of existence.

On a molecular level, this transformative journey is merely a dance of particles, shifting, merging, and rearranging into new patterns. But to us, the sentient beings experiencing it, this transition represents the monumental chapters of life and death.

To further highlight this transition, most of the characters in “Metamorphosis” are females in their fertile years, capable of bringing forth new life. Their vitality and beauty stands in juxtaposition to the raw process of decay.

Throughout history, the cycle of life has been deeply embedded in mythology. We possess an innate need to reach for a spiritual dimension transcending our physical existence. In “Metamorphosis”, I aimed to capture not only the physical transformation of our bodies, but also a glimpse of the spiritual realm. Hints of this can be seen in the solemn expressions and gestures, the ethereal lighting, or the dance of elements arranged in a deliberate way, as if guided by a higher force.