Serpent's Cycle | The Path to Wisdom
by Ksenia Kirkbride
Oil on canvas
100 × 100 cm
2024
This painting depicts a coiling snake made up of several bodies, symbolising the complex process of personal growth and transformation. Each fragment of the snake represents different aspects of human personality related to age - understanding of humanity, life views, trust for others human - that, unfortunately, may fade or be “killed” under the pressure of reality over time.
However, there is a bright side to this process of life: old parts die off, and in their place, new ones grow. Just as a snake sheds its skin, a person, going through trials and hardships, renews and evolves into a new self. This symbolism of spiritual growth suggests that while we lose something, we also gain new qualities and wisdom.
This painting is a reflection of the inner world; in the cycle of life, a person learns to say goodbye to the old and embrace the new, becoming more mature and aware.