Awakening to Inner Freedom as a Path to Collective Liberation.
In Obedient Bodies, Athanasia Iris delivers a powerful message about the nature of autonomy. She suggests that true freedom begins within: we must first awaken to our own individuality, confront our inner constraints and recognize the silent chains that bind us. Only through personal self-awareness can we come together as a collective to dismantle the structures that impose silent compliance upon us.
The ceramic, bronze and brass bodies within Obedient Bodies represent different stages of this journey. The ceramics highlight the fragility and vulnerability of silent submission, the bronze with patinas emphasizes the hidden individuality within each person and the brass pendants bring the theme into personal, daily reflection. Together, they serve as a call to action, urging viewers to embrace their unique selves, look inward and ultimately, join together to break free from silent conformity.
Athanasia’s work is both a mirror and a guide, reflecting our current condition and suggesting a path forward—toward a collective consciousness where individuals are empowered to reclaim their autonomy, liberated from the constraints that have bound them for so long.
