Institution
National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
Medium
Sculpture
Graduation Year
Class of 2026
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The Ouroboros Mirror: Journey Towards the Divine Feminine explores self-acceptance, transformation, and the integration of the opposing facets of the self. The piece was inspired by my own journey of shadow work and self-discovery, as well as my interest in mythology and Divine Feminine archetypes. However, the strongest influence came from the novel "A Court of Wings and Ruin" by Sarah J. Maas, in which the main character must gaze into an enchanted Ouroboros Mirror that reveals every aspect of herself—her strengths, fears, wounds, desires, and the parts of her identity she has hidden, denied, or neglected. Those who were able to acknowledge and integrate these aspects emerged transformed and whole, while those who rejected them were driven to madness. I was fascinated by the idea of a mirror that reveals the hidden self, and I wanted to recreate it as a symbolic object that invites viewers to reflect on the many dimensions of their own identity. At its core, the piece is about self-discovery, transformation, and embracing the complexity of who we are. The work is built around a recycled mirror, which became both the literal and symbolic centre of the piece. Rather than leaving it as a traditional mirror that reflects only outward appearance, I wanted it to resemble water. To achieve this, I applied resin across the surface, creating the illusion of depth and movement. Water has long been associated with intuition, emotion, self-reflection, and the subconscious mind, and I felt it was a more fitting representation of inner exploration than glass. Its constantly shifting nature also reflects the idea that identity is never fixed but is continually shaped by experience. Encircling the mirror is an Ouroboros in the form of a Gaboon viper. I chose this particular snake because of both its appearance and symbolism. Its intricate markings resemble skeletal patterns, linking it to mortality, death, and rebirth, while its remarkable camouflage reflects hidden truths, inner wisdom, and the aspects of ourselves that often remain unseen until we are willing to look more closely. Like all snakes, it sheds its skin, making it a powerful symbol of transformation and renewal. As an Ouroboros, it represents the endless cycle of endings and beginnings, reminding us that growth often requires letting go of old versions of ourselves in order to evolve. The process of creating the frame reflected these ideas of transformation. Much of the structure was built from layers of recycled cardboard, which I cut, shaped, and assembled to gradually transform flat materials into a three-dimensional sculptural form. I also used tin foil beneath certain areas to create volume before covering it with additional layers and details. One of my favourite parts of the project was experimenting with mould-making and casting. Using silicone cake moulds and custom silicone moulds that I made myself, I cast decorative embellishments and repeated snake scales for the Gaboon viper. This allowed me to create a cohesive surface texture while giving the serpent a more realistic appearance. Above the mirror sits the Triple Moon symbol which I created from the tops of aluminum tin cans and hot glue, associated with Hecate and the Divine Feminine. The waxing, full, and waning moons represent cycles, transformation, and the different stages of life. As a goddess of crossroads, magic, and liminal spaces, Hecate is often associated with moments of transition and the journey between worlds. I included her symbolism because it reflects the experience of standing between who we were and who we are becoming, guiding us through periods of change and self-discovery. Beside the Triple Moon is an owl representing Lilith, a figure often associated with independence, self-sovereignty, and the refusal to be defined by the expectations of others. In many modern interpretations, Lilith has become a symbol of embracing the authentic self, particularly the parts that society may view as difficult, unconventional, or undesirable. Rather than suppressing these aspects, she encourages their acknowledgement and integration. The owl reinforces these ideas through its associations with wisdom, intuition, hidden knowledge, and the ability to see clearly in darkness. To create this element, I repurposed a recycled garden owl sculpture and enhanced it with real feathers, giving it a more lifelike appearance and emphasising its symbolic importance within the piece. The pomegranate represents Persephone and her journey between the worlds of the living and the dead. Although she is often remembered for her descent into the Underworld, I have always been drawn to the balance within her story. As Queen of the Underworld, she is associated with mystery, death, and hidden depths, yet her return brings spring, renewal, and life. Rather than belonging solely to one realm, Persephone exists within both. She embodies the union of light and shadow, innocence and wisdom, life and death. Her symbolism reflects one of the central ideas behind the mirror: that wholeness is achieved not by choosing one side of ourselves over another, but by accepting and integrating seemingly opposing aspects into a complete and balanced self. To create the pomegranate, I incorporated embroidery into the work, combining textile techniques with sculptural processes to add texture and detail. Below the mirror is an eight-pointed star associated with Venus as well as the ancient goddesses Inanna and Ishtar. Venus is linked to love, beauty, creativity, and self-worth, while Inanna and Ishtar are complex figures associated with both creation and destruction, love and war, heaven and the underworld. Their symbolism reinforces the idea that true power comes from embracing complexity rather than striving for perfection. The star serves as a reminder that strength and vulnerability, gentleness and ferocity, creation and destruction can all coexist within the same person. The frame is further adorned with roses and implied belladonna, continuing the theme of duality that runs throughout the work. Roses symbolise love, beauty, passion, resilience, and growth, while their thorns represent protection, boundaries, and the understanding that beauty often comes with challenges. Belladonna, a plant historically used both as a medicine and a poison, embodies the idea that the same thing can heal or harm depending on how it is used. Associated with mystery, magic, and transformation, it represents the coexistence of healing and danger, wisdom and risk, creation and destruction. Together, the roses and belladonna reinforce the idea that opposing qualities are not mutually exclusive but can exist in balance. To create these elements, I incorporated dried flowers, buttons, and other recycled and found materials, adding texture, detail, and further layers of meaning to the piece. The final stage involved painting and finishing every element of the work. I used a combination of airbrushing and hand painting across the snake, owl, flowers, pomegranate, and decorative details. Building up layers of colour allowed me to create depth, texture, and realism while drawing attention to the symbolic significance of each element. By combining sculpture, assemblage, mould-making, casting, embroidery, resin work, painting, and recycled materials, I was able to create a highly detailed mixed-media artwork that reflects both my fascination with symbolism and mythology and my commitment to sustainable making practices. Taken as a whole, The Ouroboros Mirror: Journey Towards the Divine Feminine is an exploration of self-knowledge, transformation, and integration. Through the symbolism of the Gaboon viper, Hecate, Lilith, Persephone, Venus, Inanna, Ishtar, the owl, the pomegranate, roses, and belladonna, I wanted to create a piece that encourages viewers to confront the hidden aspects of themselves and embrace both their light and shadow. Like the enchanted mirror that inspired it, the work suggests that wholeness is achieved not through perfection or denial, but through the acceptance and integration of all parts of who we are.
