2019 - 17 sculptures as one large piece at RCA MA degree show
Medusa was raped in the Temple of Athena by the god Poseidon for being so beautiful, then punished by Athena for desecrating her temple. Athena transforms her into a monster, changing her hair into nest of writhing snakes, and condemning anyone who looks at her to be petrified to stone. The dual meaning of the word ‘petrified’ is intriguing: to be scared that one cannot move, and for organic matter like wood turning to stone over time. This is worthy of reference as it exemplifies the importance that material has in the wider scope of language and communication.
Though we may think of her as a monster, Medusa was the only mortal out of her gorgon siblings. Her name literally means ‘Queen’. It was the act of violence, rape and scorn that changed her. Medusa has been a subject for artists throughout the centuries, including Canova, Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, Cellini and Yinka Shonobare. To me, it is a story of a powerful woman wronged – a story that has been repeated over centuries. But it is also a story of transformation and power.
One of the first tools, combs date back to 5500 BC. Most combs used today are made of plastic or wood. Combs, across cultures and continents, are recognizable domestic objects, which are inherently connected to self-image and grooming. In these sculptures, the combs teeth seem to be in movement. The writhing and recoiling is not dissimilar to a snake or anemone. By combining the organic, animal-like characteristics, with the hard, weighty and historically loaded material which is bronze, this work is my modern iteration of Medusa.
Medusa (COMBS)
Medusa (COMBS)
2019 - 17 sculptures as one large piece at RCA MA degree show
Medusa was raped in the Temple of Athena by the god Poseidon for being so beautiful, then punished by Athena for desecrating her temple. Athena transforms her into a monster, changing her hair into nest of writhing snakes, and condemning anyone who looks at her to be petrified to stone. The dual meaning of the word ‘petrified’ is intriguing: to be scared that one cannot move, and for organic matter like wood turning to stone over time. This is worthy of reference as it exemplifies the importance that material has in the wider scope of language and communication.
Though we may think of her as a monster, Medusa was the only mortal out of her gorgon siblings. Her name literally means ‘Queen’. It was the act of violence, rape and scorn that changed her. Medusa has been a subject for artists throughout the centuries, including Canova, Caravaggio, Bernini, Rubens, Cellini and Yinka Shonobare. To me, it is a story of a powerful woman wronged – a story that has been repeated over centuries. But it is also a story of transformation and power.
One of the first tools, combs date back to 5500 BC. Most combs used today are made of plastic or wood. Combs, across cultures and continents, are recognizable domestic objects, which are inherently connected to self-image and grooming. In these sculptures, the combs teeth seem to be in movement. The writhing and recoiling is not dissimilar to a snake or anemone. By combining the organic, animal-like characteristics, with the hard, weighty and historically loaded material which is bronze, this work is my modern iteration of Medusa.