JANUS REIMAGINED/FACES OF TIME by artist Ioanna Tsouka of Anima ex Manus Art Dolls

Mixed media: paperclay, polymer clay, wire, tulle, silk trims, vintage lace remnant, felt, beads, vintage gears and watch parts. Her arms are lightly poseable/ bendable. She is hand-painted with soft pastels, acrylics and coloured pencils, and sealed with matte and gloss varnish. She can stand independently, as her skirt serves as a stable base. Her costume cannot be removed.

Dimensions: approx. 38 cm/ 14.9’’ tall


This doll explores the intricate relationship between time, transition, and reflection. Inspired by Janus, the Roman god of duality and transitions, she is a guardian of time, overseeing what has been and what is yet to come. Her two faces, gazing simultaneously, embody the paradox of time; one face reflects the past, memories and experiences, while the other peers into the future, filled with anticipation and possibility. The mechanics of time’s passage are relentless, and it can feel both fleeting and eternal in moments of transition. Janus’s symbolism ties deeply to beginnings and endings (for example, the first month of the new year, January, was named after Janus).

As we approach the year’s end, this piece serves as a comforting reminder: every ending holds the seed of a beginning.