Greek Myth

Work inspired by Ancient Greek Myth.

Minoan Maze

Inspired by the maze pattern on ancient Minoan coins. This pattern is made using the unpicked fabric on which it has been stitched, making a perfect colour match and giving a subtle, embossed look to the work.

Minoan Maze. Aida on Aida. 2017

Penelope

In the Odyssey, Penelope is the loyal wife of Odysseus who goes away to fight in the Trojan War. After many years away Odysseus is presumed dead and Penelope expected to remarry. Believing her husband to still be alive, Penelope vows to remarry one she has completed her tapestry. Every day she works on it and every night she unpicks it again, buying herself time until her husbands return.

This pieces has had text stitched and un-stitched, leaving larger holes where the needle has passed through.

Penelope. Aida, cotton, wood. 2016

Penelope [detail of text].

The Beast Within

Inspired by the Ancient Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus, this work explores the idea of Daedaluls’ inner demons after accidentally and spitefully killing his nephew. In this work the brain is a metaphor for the Labyrinth which Daedalus designed to imprison the Minotaur.

The Beast Within. Acrylic on canvas. 2011

Labyrinth

Daedalus is the architect of the labyrinth in which was kept the monstrous Minotaur. The Ancient Greek Hero Theseus used gold thread to find his way through the Labyrinth to kill the beast. In this piece, the gold thread obscures our view of this working puzzle. As in life, we cannot see what is around the next corner.

Labyrinth. Aida, cotton. 2012

Cross-stitch Pattern for Labyrinth. Graphite, paper. 2012

Maze

Following on from the above piece, this working puzzle again explores the maze as a metaphor for our journey through life. However, this piece highlights the emptiness which I believe awaits us.

Maze. Aida, cotton. 2014

Fallen

These broken glider wings, built by my father, represent the fall of Icarus.

Fallen. Found glider wings, 2012

Fallen [detail].

 

Ares & Aphrodite

These banners were created for an exhibition of the planets of the solar system which was exhibited in Athens, Greece in 2018. In the Greek language, the planets are known by their Ancient Greek God names, rather than the Roman God names we use in English. These banners are for Mars and Venus, with imagery inspired by Ancient Greek pottery.

Ares & Aphrodite/ Mars & Venus. Cotton, Aida, Clay, wood, imitation gold leaf, cord. 2018

 

Pluton

As with the banners above,  this painting was created for an exhibition of the planets of the solar system.  This painting is for Pluto, God of the Underworld in Ancient Greek myth. The imagery relates to the riches found beneath the earth, both in precious minerals and in the plants that grow from the earth.

Pluton/ Pluto. Acrylic paint and imitation gold leaf on laser cut board. 2018