TOPIARY

Topiary captures the transition from girlhood to womanhood, echoing themes of metamorphosis and botanical imagery found
in classical mythology.

The figure’s upper torso and head are replaced by a bloom of petals, symbolizing life’s bourgeoning and the emergence of a new identity. This motif mirrors Daphne’s transformation into a laurel tree in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, exploring themes of love, pursuit and transfiguration. Bourgeois’s work reflects on personal growth and evolution through universal themes, inviting contemplation of one’s own transformational journey.

In Topiary, Bourgeois presents a narrative of self-transformation, distinct from the myth of Daphne pursued by Apollo. Here, the young girl undergoes metamorphosis autonomously, symbolizing resilience and self-possession. Reflecting on her work, Bourgeois stated: “I haveendeavored during my whole lifetime as a sculptor to turn woman from an object into an active subject,” underscoring her commitment to portraying women as active agents of their own stories.

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