DíSIR: Ancestral protectors
2020
Metamorphosis. Acrylic on linen canvas 80 x 100 cm
Veiled Knowledge. Acrylic on linen canvas 80 x 100 cm
Eternal Wisdom, Acrylic on linen canvas 80 x 100 cm
About Dísir Series
Dísir: Ancestral Protectors is a trilogy of symbolic figurative paintings, inspired by ancient female guardian spirits of Norse mythology. The series reinterprets their presence through contemporary portraiture. It explores transformation, hidden knowledge, and inner awakening, presenting feminine archetypes as timeless forces of protection and spiritual evolution.
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In ancient Scandinavian belief, the Dísir were protective ancestral spirits connected to fate, lineage, and spiritual guidance. They were honored in rituals such as the Dísablót and regarded as silent guardians who influenced pivotal moments across generations. Though less prominent than figures like Odin or Thor, their presence reflects a profound and intimate dimension of feminine protection.
In this series, I interpret the Dísir as archetypal forces rather than literal mythological beings. Through figurative portraiture, masks, veils, and symbolic motifs, the trilogy translates Norse mythology into a contemporary visual language, exploring inner strength, intuition, and protective qualities inherent in the feminine.
The series unfolds as a symbolic cycle:
Metamorphosis introduces the serpent, a universal symbol of renewal and rebirth. Shedding becomes a metaphor for healing, transformation, and the courage required to evolve.
Veiled Knowledge centers on the lock, representing guarded wisdom. Not all knowledge is meant to be immediately revealed; some truths require maturity, responsibility, and conscious transmission.
Eternal Wisdom completes the cycle through the symbol of the key, accompanied by the Fleur de Lis, an emblem of rebirth and spiritual balance. Here, transformation and knowledge align, granting access to inner harmony.
Across the three paintings, the cosmic depiction in the hair symbolizes infinite potential and universal connection. The mask reflects duality, what is revealed and what remains concealed.
Blending Norse mythological symbolism with contemporary figurative art, the Dísir series explores feminine strength not as mythology of the past, but as a living archetype of protection and spiritual awakening.
Read more about the series: symbolism and mythological context