art book

Temple of Medusa

 
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I am contributing to the upcoming “Temple of Medusa” art book published by Century Guild and thought I’d share a sneak preview of what is to come!

They asked the question “In contrast to the many renderings of Medusa’s defeat that have been created throughout art history, what would a visual testament to Medusa’s victory look like? If Medusa’s temple were built today, what works of art would adorn it?”

The question spoke to me immediately and rekindled in my mind a dormant series I began a few years ago, where I planned to retell Greek myths (in particular the absurd number involving r*pe) with the women defeating their aggressors.

For Medusa, I had in mind visuals of Judith beheading Holofernes and I knew that I wanted to create a powerful, statuesque Medusa who stands defiantly having defeated her would-be murderer.

Yes the helmet is absolutely a tribute to the original Clash of the Titans film produced by Ray Harryhaussen, which was my first introduction to Medusa as a very small child (and I remember even then before I knew her full backstory, I wished she would defeat Perseus. ha).