Daphne and Apollo

Size: 60 x 70 cm

Material: Linen fabric, cotton thread, acrylic paint

Technique : Hand Painted and Hand-Embroidered

Daphne's Transformation is a striking contemporary artwork that blends embroidery, painting, and appliqué to tell the myth of Daphne’s metamorphosis, where love and resistance intertwine. The piece is shaped almost like a cross, with unfinished edges that reflect the abruptness and incompletion of Daphne’s transformation, symbolizing the tension between human will and the overwhelming force of love.

In the center of the piece, Daphne’s body gradually turns into a tree, her form giving way to branches and leaves in response to Apollo’s passionate but unrequited love. While Daphne’s transformation is a desperate escape from Apollo’s advances, it also highlights the depth of his affection—his love so powerful that it eternally marks her. The unfinished edges signify not just Daphne’s struggle, but the eternal bond between them, a love that even transformation cannot sever.

Ironically, the leaves of the tree that Daphne becomes continue to nurture us. Laurel leaves, used in kitchens for their culinary and symbolic value, serve as a lasting connection to Apollo’s love—turning a symbol of resistance into one of nourishment, remembrance, and beauty.

This artwork explores the complex dynamics of love, transformation, and sacrifice. Through a blend of traditional techniques and contemporary form, it brings to life the myth’s dual themes of escape and connection, offering a deeper reflection on how love leaves an imprint, even in the most unexpected ways.