Original Painting - Mixed Media on Paper - 300x450mm - Framed

In Greek mythology a Gorogon (literally ‘dreadful’) is a female creature who had hair made of living, venomous snakes, as well as a horrifying visage that turned those who beheld her to stone.

The Gorgon Medusa was initially a beautiful woman who was turned into a monster by the goddess Athena. Poseidon, the god of the seas, was attracted by the golden colour of Medusa’s hair and seduced her in one of Athena's temples thus violating its sanctity. Athena, whose long-term rival was Poseidon, was enraged and for punishment changed the enticing golden locks into serpents.

Harrison's translation of the ‘Odyssey’ states: "The Gorgon was made out of the terror, not the terror out of the Gorgon.” 

In my depiction the Gorgon is called ‘Queen Black Heart’ because that’s how most people perceive her, without knowing her story. With this painting I would like to challenge those who are quick to jump to conclusions about someone’s life without knowing what made them the way they are. Not everything is what it seems and monsters are made, not born.