https://iliahenaway.carrd.co 2026-06-28 daily 1.0 https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/image01.jpg https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/slideshow02-538bbfcf.jpg Untitled https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery06/dda67ed5.jpg Emerging from the atmospheric world of medieval Transylvania, *The Alchemist* stands as a guardian of Hermannstadt, the “city with eyes,” where everything is observed. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery06/db30e4e3.jpg Constructed on a cloth base reinforced with plaster gauze, the sculpture is carefully shaped by hand using air-dry clay. Encased in epoxy resin and finished with a matte sealant, the form holds a suspended sense of time and ritual. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery06/615be985.jpg Its surface reveals layered texture and acrylic paint applied with restraint, while fine touches of pure 24k gold leaf introduce a quiet alchemical shimmer. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery01/d8aba16f.jpg Though non-functional in intent, _The Golden Barrel_ is structurally strong and can hold a wine bottle, reflecting its durability. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery01/4cf50f85.jpg Built on air-dry clay and reinforced with iron mesh, the sculpture restrained touches of 24k gold leafs, echoing the quiet opulence of the medieval times of one of Transylvania’s most important trade cities. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery01/bd9c1578.jpg Encased in a refined surface, **The Golden Barrel** becomes an archive of time, where medieval symbolism and contemporary craft, converge. It suggests preservation over conclusion, carrying the echoes of transformation across centuries. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery03/6faa8ddf.jpg A decorative object _The Hidden Vessel_ continues the narrative of _The Alchemist_, moving from figure to form, as the third ***Golden Barrel Trilogy***. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery03/805dad76.jpg Hand-built and finished with pure 24K gold leaf, this piece draws on the symbolism of gold in medieval trade, carrying both material and mystical presence. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery03/c2a59451.jpg Designed on an iron mesh structure with air-dry clay, _The Hidden Vessel_ is built to resist the strains of time while maintaining its luxurious and decorative purpose. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery05/e264fdc8.jpg Formed from a recycled plastic egg rack, _The Jewel of The Sea_ becomes a sculptural reflection on resilience, memory, and transformation. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery05/80cffc61.jpg Modelled in clay, gauze, paper mâché and finished with glass beads, acrylic paint, and epoxy resin, the sculpture keeps sprinkles of eggshell to remember its origins and to mark new beginnings. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery05/de28c9e7.jpg The shimmering ocean blues and crystal sparks on its surface reflect the human spirit, a spirit that keeps shining no matter how broken. In the end, **The Jewel of The Sea** becomes a symbol of hope and the quiet promise of renewal. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/slideshow01-4be4158a.jpg Untitled https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery02/38773421.jpg This painting reimagines Bran Castle through a whimsical, storybook lens. The castle rises on a gentle hill, outlined with bold, confident lines and filled with warm earthy tones. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery02/bcdcb2ac.jpg A winding road leads the viewer’s eye toward the fortress, passing through clusters of stylized green trees and a small red-roofed house nestled in the landscape. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery02/6a8e0050.jpg The colours are vibrant yet soft, giving the scene a playful, almost childlike charm. The overall mood is warm, inviting, and imaginative, transforming the legendary Bran Castle into a friendly, magical place rather than a dark or imposing one. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery04/f67b4d03.jpg This work evokes the moment of cosmic creation, a star‑burst of light radiating outward like the birth of a universe and the Sun, inviting the viewer to slow down. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery04/a0194f4a.jpg The turtle, a powerful symbol in Indigenous cultures, representing resilience, ancient wisdom, and the being who carries life upon her back. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery04/c4aa2459.jpg Soft gradients and bold, radiant hues create a calm, meditative focal point, a quiet pulse of colour shaped by culture and imagination. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery07/e66ddaba.jpg The dominant use of green throughout the composition reflects a longing for the natural world, reintroduced into an otherwise confined and constructed environment. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery07/46b3659a.jpg Above the citadel, interconnected bloom-like flowers form a celestial web inspired by the architecture of the internet. https://iliahenaway.carrd.co/assets/images/gallery07/287b33f8.jpg These networks symbolize invisible technological connections, as well as the beauty of a “new world” that enabled communication, creation, and emotional balance during a period of deep isolation.