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Paxos, Island of Love

Theban Women 2021, Oil on panel, 9" x 12" x 0.5"

Intrigued by the complex and troubling narrative of Niobe and the Theban Women in Ovid's Metamorphoses I return to the narrative of my paternal grandmother, Philippa, and her troubled life. This, in order to learn to understand through a variety of creative mediums and approaches themes related to abuse, depression, love and consent. Two girls represent the Theban women. Repressed, caught in a web of systemic sexism but maintaining a placid, submissive exterior that hides troubling realities and hidden emotions, they look away from the viewer, preoccupied, beaten down. Heavy black lines- their neckties- resemble slip knots. In choosing to work with soft, muted tones, I strive to suggest the hidden realities and troubles these women face. Even in our contemporary society, it is a daily challenge to be a woman: we have only begun to scratch the surface of the misogyny and abuse that women experience regularly. This painting is a nascent exploration of these themes.