Lilith

Metal, paper, helium latex, conch, ramshorn, mirror, PU-schaum, lacquer paint, and spray paint.

The work examines the dark and secret aspects of the feminine mind by drawing on the mythological character of Lilith, a symbol of autonomy, mystery, and disobedience. Lilith has changed significantly throughout history. She was once demonized in ancient Mesopotamian and Jewish writings, but she has since been recovered as a feminist icon in modern discourse, representing female autonomy and resistance to oppression. This development reflects larger cultural changes, transforming a fear of the “other” into a celebration of strength and complexity.

This transformation is reflected in Lilith. The conch and ramshorn suggest primordial cries—calls from the wild and untamed—while the mirror aspect encourages self-reflection and multiplicity. When combined, these components allude to the complex, frequently suppressed aspects of womanhood. The installation’s location in the New Fears Gallery’s basement adds an emotive element, representing the fears society harbors beneath the surface and the profoundly hidden facets of the psyche. Lilith appears as a terrifying and inspiring presence in this small, dim room, challenging the audience to face the invisible and the unsaid.

Photography by Luka Najoks