'spirit'
high-quality giclee print
A5 size, 350gsm
 
This piece blends function, folklore, and symbolism. It is the back of a mirror, but not just any mirror. This one is designed to hint at something deeper: it shows you whether you still have a soul inside you and what it looks like (if you have one!).
 
At the centre of the design is the Japanese kanji kokoro (心), which can mean heart, soul, or spirit. It's a powerful symbol that represents our emotional and spiritual core. Below it, I included the bottom half of a Hannya mask, an iconic figure from Japanese Noh theatre. The Hannya represents a woman consumed by jealousy and rage, transformed into a demon. Her face is both fearsome and sorrowful - two emotions that often walk hand in hand.
 
Together, these elements create a quiet tension: the soul (kokoro) above, and the shadow of inner torment below. The idea is that when you look into this mirror, you are not just seeing your reflection - you are confronting what lies beneath it. Do you still carry warmth, empathy, and presence? Or have parts of you begun to fade?
 
I loved working on this piece because it's more than decorative - it invites a moment of reflection, literally and symbolically. A small, eerie object with a big question.