Rooted in Light

Through vibrant layers of colour and a flower inspired by mandala and lotus forms, A.’s painting reflects the many identities she carries within herself. Rooted in warmth, memory, and transformation, the artwork becomes a portrait of a woman learning to bloom across cultures, roles, and new beginnings.

STORIES FROM GREECE

6/14/20262 min read

At the heart of the composition lies a bright yellow flower, resembling a small sun. This inner light radiates warmth and clarity, but rather than expanding endlessly outward, it begins to gather the surrounding layers toward itself. The light moves upward and then folds back in, creating a circular motion that feels both protective and reflective. It is as if illumination is not escaping the flower, but returning to it.

This inward turning becomes central to the meaning of the work. It reflects a process of inner consolidation, where identity is not only expressed through outward roles but also formed through reflection, memory, and quiet self-recognition. The painting suggests a moment of pause in which a woman begins to gather the different parts of herself into a more integrated whole.

The many layers of the flower represent A.’s multiple identities: a mother, a daughter, a professional, an artist, a Ukrainian woman shaped by memory and cultural heritage, and someone who is gradually building a sense of belonging in a new country. Rather than existing separately, these identities appear as concentric layers that move toward one centre, suggesting that selfhood is not fragmented but continuously reorganised through experience.

The lotus-inspired form reinforces this sense of inward transformation. Traditionally associated with resilience and renewal, here the flower does not simply rise above difficulty; it turns inward as part of its growth. This inward movement can be read as a form of grounding, where strength is not only found in expansion, but also in returning to oneself after change and displacement.

The colour palette enhances this emotional rhythm. Greens suggest continuity and healing, orange brings warmth and human presence, while yellow acts as the guiding inner force that holds everything together. Instead of competing, the colours feel interconnected, slowly converging toward the centre of the flower.

A.’s painting unfolds as a luminous composition built around a flower inspired by both mandala and lotus forms. At first glance, it appears expansive and radiant, filled with layers of green, orange, and yellow that create a sense of life and movement. Yet as the eye follows its structure, the flower reveals a different direction: it does not only open outward, but turns inward, drawing its energy back toward its centre.

HERS

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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