PUBLICATIONS
Reflections on the Spiritual in Art: From the Personal to the Universal
31.05.2025

Anastasia Gofman, artist based in Florida, USA
@anasya.gofman
For me, art and spiritual awakening are inseparable—two facets of the same essence. When the creator enters a state of presence, channeling divine energy through the prism of their body, experiences, and knowledge, a work of art is born. I see art as an inquiry, a visual language that allows us to reach into the fundamental questions of human existence, the nature of consciousness, and the realization of the oneness that permeates all things.
Although my journey in art began with practical training and technical skill, it ultimately led me to deeper contemplation on the philosophy of perception and the role of symbolism in shaping our understanding of the world.
This relationship between the spiritual and the material—between the divine and the human—manifests itself in the materials and symbols I use in my work. Mirror, gold, and stone are not just compositional elements; they are keys to unlocking deeper layers of reality.

The mirror has long been associated with self-reflection and inner vision, but in my work, it transcends the literal and becomes a gateway to the soul. It invites the viewer to look inward—to face their fears and hopes, to embrace both their shadow and their light. This journey of self-discovery is central to spiritual growth. After all, only by understanding ourselves can we truly understand the world around us. Philosophical traditions from Plato to Jung have viewed the mirror as a symbol of introspection and awakening.

My mirror-based works are a way to reveal that the outer world is always a reflection of the inner. In our forgetfulness, we often misperceive ourselves, mistaking the “observer in the mirror” for who we truly are—unaware that, in truth, we are the mirror itself. Once we recognize this, we stop "shattering the mirror" and instead understand that the way forward always leads through the darkness—through those parts of ourselves we avoid or reject.

That’s why my works include not only reflective surfaces, but also shadowed, dimmed areas that represent the unseen aspects of our consciousness. These dark zones embody suppressed emotions and unresolved inner conflicts that prevent us from perceiving our true selves.

Gold, with its eternal glow and longstanding association with the divine, represents in my work the inexhaustible potential for spiritual growth within each of us. It serves as a constant reminder that within us lives a divine light—capable of guiding us, dispersing the fog of doubt, and leading us to illumination. Gold symbolizes inner worth, spiritual wisdom, unconditional love, and our connection to the cosmos.

By using metal leaf in a variety of shades—from the warm shimmer of antique gold to the cool gleam of platinum—I try to express the multifaceted nature of this inner light: its depth, fluidity, and power to transform. This play of tones symbolizes the stages of the spiritual path, from early sparks of awareness to full enlightenment.

Beyond its symbolism, metal leaf also serves a practical purpose in my art. Its reflective properties create a sense of radiance and depth, drawing the viewer in and encouraging contemplation. It allows me to evoke a living light that unifies all elements in the composition, reinforcing the idea of unity.

Stone, for me, is a symbol of connection to the body, to the earth, to physical reality. It reminds us that spiritual enlightenment does not occur apart from the world—it is rooted in it. Stones are living archives, carriers of memory—of the past, present, and future, of the eternal cycles of life and death. Through material, through lived experience in a physical body, we channel the creative force, allowing divine truth to manifest on this earth. Each stone is unique, bearing the marks of time and energy—and therein lies its beauty.

Like stones, our bodies bear the imprints of our experiences, our joys and wounds. Embracing and understanding this physical reality is essential for spiritual evolution.
By weaving together these symbols—mirror, gold, and stone—I aim to create a space for reflection and transformation.

To me, this is the path to harmony and fulfillment: the union of body (stone), divine energy (gold), and the mind, shaped by human experience (mirror). It is the balance of yin and yang, of masculine and feminine, of light and shadow.

My art is an invitation for the viewer to turn inward, to recognize their connection to the divine, and to feel the interconnection of all that is.

It is my way of contributing to the collective awakening—believing that each creative act, every moment of awareness, brings us closer to a more conscious, harmonious, and spiritually attuned world.