Photography | 2025

Metamorphosis from Ruins
Oana Sîrbu

Description: "Metamorphosis from Ruins" was born from the need to celebrate the strength of sexual violence survivors and to bring forward the unseen traumas of recent history. I drew inspiration from the stories of women who endured wartime violence in the former Yugoslavia, experiences often hidden or forgotten but leaving deep marks on collective identity. This work merges personal memory with historical memory, intertwining fragments of the past with the process of healing and transformation.

About the artist: Oana Sîrbu is a fashion designer from Romania, currently pursuing a master’s degree at the George Enescu National University of Arts in Iași. Passionate about lingerie design and sustainability, she focuses on textile innovation and integrating sustainable practices into fashion. During her university years, she participated in mentorship programs centered on developing and applying sustainable textile materials, exploring innovative design methods.

She was also actively involved in volunteering with Mai Bine and Clean Clothes Campaign, contributing to humanitarian causes and supporting garment workers’ rights. Her creations go beyond clothing—they serve as a form of expression and activism, giving a voice to the wearers. Through design, she addresses social issues, particularly those affecting women. She works with embroidery, intricate details, and experimental techniques, drawing inspiration from craftsmanship, history, and traditions.

​With this approach, she merges aesthetics with meaning, transforming each piece into a statement about identity, memory, and resilience.