Violence of Medea II: Mermeros and Pheres, 2011. 28" x 34". Acrylic and charcoal on cardboard.
This painting is a continuation of the Jason and the Argonaut cycle I have been working on. The work here centers on Medea and the result of her infanticide. Medea, the Scythian raven, with murdered children in tow, escapes to Athens aboard her celestial chariot. In Euripides' play Medea the Chorus is transfixed upon the events around her with morbid fascination. Much like the trial of Casey Anthony that engulfed the American media recently we are equally drawn to and repulsed by this macabre dance.
More discussion after the break!
Much like Delacroix did before me I have created a slashing helmet like quality to Medea's face. Mine becomes more reptilian. In the vein of de Kooning's Women series I have tried to marry the ugly with glamor. The quick and effortless stroke of paint with the labored. While taking off, Medea turns to give one last glance to Jason to view the despair of his face and soak in the last bit of glory from her revenge. Her visage at once calm and nearly pleased can also be forlorn. Destroying what she had once created she breaks with our cultural concepts of 'woman'. This woman cannot be subordinate to a man.
No comments:
Post a Comment