Si vis pacem, para bellum (If you want peace, prepare for war), 2024

Iryna Rets  

"Woman-Warrior of the modern world" series. "Si vis pacem, para bellum" ("If you want peace, prepare for war") invites the viewer to remember that peace is a fragile and precious reality, requiring constant readiness to defend it. The image of the nude heroine symbolizes honesty and openness to this principle. Her pose embodies focus and inner strength. 

The woman nurtures a "flower of swords" — a metaphor for conscious readiness to protect her boundaries and values. The shield on the wall behind her emphasizes the intention to protect the fragile world from any threat, while the houseplants around her symbolize the harmony of peaceful life. The organic coexistence of swords and flowers highlights that true harmony is possible only where there is readiness to uphold it. The work reveals the idea of the cyclical nature of time: challenging periods forge strength and the ability to defend one's boundaries, while times of abundance and tranquility may lead to vulnerability. The painting reminds us that peace should not be taken for granted and emphasizes the responsibility of each person to preserve it. 

By combining a refined palette with warm accents and expressive symbols, the artist explores the balance between strength and vulnerability, harmony and the necessity of protection. This piece underscores that strength is not aggression, but a conscious responsibility to safeguard peace, personal values, and boundaries.