The sirens are one of the most recognizable female figures from Greek mythology, often recurring and celebrated in modern day pop culture. Mythologically, the sirens were mischievous and dangerous creatures that had the upper body of a beautiful woman and a fish tail for a lower half. They were known for seducing sailors with their beautiful songs and melodies, only to kill them later. They form a dichotomous figure, as something that appears and sounds incredibly beautiful can be so tragically evil and brutal.
In this oeuvre, we find a beautiful siren caught in the conundrum of an existential crisis. She is seen peeling off the flickering scales of her back. These scales that form a very crucial part of her identity, have now become a burden for her: a burden of shame and the regrets of her misdeeds in the past. She is trying to awkwardly reach them with her hand, but they cling to her. We wonder, what is a siren without her scales? As every scale she plucks out, she loses a part of herself and her beauty. Is the price of fitting in worthy of giving up your identity? Should we embrace our flaws and celebrate who we are, instead of burdening ourselves with shame and regret? This artwork makes us question, what are the scales of our identity that we are trying to get rid of?
