art series: Lady Democracy

Strong women are at the heart of the “Lady Democracy” series, embodying the necessity of actively participating in societal processes and defending democratic values against threats. The series subtly questions the tensions between freedom and control, inclusion and exclusion.

The series points to the complexity of democratic processes and the fragility of social cohesion. It emphasizes the need not only to embody political idealism but also to actively engage with the challenges that shape our time.

Lady Democracy, 2024 Mixed Media 50 x 50 cm

Lady Democracy I (2024)

Mixed Media on canvas
50 x 50 cm

Lady Democracy II (2024) oil on canvas 33x55 cm

Lady Democracy II (2024)

oil on canvas
33 x 55 cm

Lady Democracy III (2024) Oil on canvas 33x55 cm

Lady Democracy I (2024)

oil on canvas
33 x 55 cm

The “Lady Democracy” series illustrates the challenges of democracy as a reflection of the human condition in the 21st century. It draws on Hannah Arendt’s ideas of freedom and public space, emphasizing that democracy is rooted in the public sphere and only remains alive through active participation. The series portrays strong women deeply engaged in societal events, referencing Arendt’s belief that political action is crucial for sustaining democratic structures. Democracy is a collective, fragile process that, as described by John Dewey, must be renewed through the active engagement of citizens, contending with forces of entropy and renewal. Dewey stressed that genuine democracy can only function through the participation of the people, not an elite minority.

The works in the series address central tensions that challenge the balance of democracy—including social inequality, the rise of populist movements, the erosion of trust in institutions, and the polycrises of our time, such as climate change and migration, which are captured in Zygmunt Bauman’s concept of “liquid modernity.”


The portraits of strong women of diverse ethnic backgrounds as modern symbols of freedom shift the narrative from the iconic Statue of Liberty to a living symbol of democracy. This transformation is a critical re-evaluation of historical symbols, re-examining the complex dimensions of freedom and its social conditions. These works belong to the tradition of political art, from Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People” to contemporary interpretations of icons of freedom. The “Lady Democracy” series embodies not only political idealism but also the ambivalence and resilience of democratic values, which must be constantly reinterpreted amidst ideals and real-world challenges. The figures in the series are not heroes on a pedestal but agents of everyday resistance—vulnerable yet determined to confront the obstacles before them.

The compositions in the series oscillate between directness and subtle complexity, embodying both the ruptures and the interconnectedness of democratic processes. Collage fragments, diverse textures, and color transitions function as metaphors for the fragile yet interwoven levels of democratic structures, characterized by plurality and incompleteness. “Lady Democracy” reflects not only the challenges but also bears the traces of those who actively shape them—people who stand up for their rights and rebuild fragile social bridges.

This series is a call to the resilience of civil society and the necessity of defending the pluralistic ideals of democracy against forces that seek to undermine them. “Lady Democracy” serves as a mirror, challenging us to question our role in the democratic fabric and take a stand.

For those interested, selected limited prints as well as the originals from the “Lady Democracy” series are available for purchase. If interested, please feel free to contact me for further details.

connect [at] corneliaessaid.de