Series Explainer: Mythical Women

This series is inspired by the women in Greek Mythology, exploring gender roles. Like many stereotypical female characters, the women of ancient mythologies experience very little control over their fate. In this series, I recontextualize these stories to give female characters more agency. In retelling these ancient myths, I use deconstructed tropes to reframe women as being in control of their own destinies. No longer are their futures decided by the men around them. Instead, these new narratives define the feminine as powerful and worthy.

Women in ancient Greek mythology are often portrayed as powerful yet polarizing figures, embodying a complex mix of divinity, beauty, vengeance, and vulnerability. Some of the most female characters included in this series include Medusa (my favourite), Pandora, Circe (goddess of magic), Athena (goddess of wisdom and warfare), Artemis (huntress and protector of women) and Persephone.

Common themes surrounding these women include punishment for defiance, the dangers of female beauty, and the tension between independence and obedience. Women are frequently depicted as either virtuous or vengeful, virginal or femme fatale, when in reality, women are much more dynamic and complex.

The female subjects in my work inhabit an imaginary world steeped in layers of pattern that have been transposed from discarded textiles via the screen-printing process. Working with textured surfaces provides a decorative backdrop for reimagining this classical female character as she plays out her supporting role.

The works are feminist both in content and medium, as I have drawn decorative patterns from bedspreads, tablecloths, doilies, and other fabrics that are traditionally considered domestic and feminine. Just as I elevate my protagonists, these so-called “women’s crafts” are also uplifted to the level of fine art from which they have been historically excluded.

This body of work was exhibited at SOL Gallery: 7- 18 June 2023. I have written extensively on some of my favourite women in ancient Greek mythology on this artist blog, with deep dives into the stories of Medusa, Circe, Persephone and Pandora. 

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