The idea for this piece came to me after visiting various historical villas around Italy. I was intrigued by the recurrence of demonic faces sculpted among otherwise delicate architectural ornamentation. Often positioned above entrances or windows, they were believed to function as protective forces—guardians that kept evil at bay.
In this work, the fountain’s basin is depicted as an idyllic refuge where female figures bathe, echoing a long visual tradition of representing women swimming in natural spaces. Here, the fountain head theoretically serves as a guarding presence. Yet its role is ambiguous: while it symbolizes protection, it also raises questions about the necessity—and the implications—of such guardianship. Does the existence of a protector not suggest the presence of a threat?
This tension highlights a broader cultural paradox: throughout history, women have often been cast as needing men's protection — from other men. The piece invites reflection on whether safety and freedom can truly coexist, especially when security is dependent upon external forces. Can an enclosed, guarded, man-made basin truly offer the liberation a woman seeks?
