"Medusa"
200 x 150 cm, Acrylic on PVC, 2014
In “Medusa,” the artist revisits the myth of the Gorgon with a hypnotic intensity that transcends traditional representations of this mythological character. Painted in acrylic on PVC, this large-scale work captures the face of Medusa, frozen in an enigmatic expression between pain and serenity. The powerful features of her face are accentuated by the striking contrast between shadows and lights, creating an impression of depth and volume that seems to bring the flat surface to life.
The serpents, sinister substitutes for strands of hair, intertwine around her head, reinforcing the mood of menace and intrigue. However, unlike classical depictions that portray Medusa as a terrifying monster, this interpretation highlights a certain humanity in her closed expression. Her eyes are closed, as if she were in an eternal sleep or deep meditation, evoking both latent danger and vulnerability.
The monochrome palette of metallic greys and silvers adds a timeless, almost sculptural quality to the painting, recalling the marble or bronze busts of Greek and Roman heroes. This choice of colour, combined with the subtle drips of paint, creates a sense of decay or tears, suggesting that Medusa is both frozen in time and slowly disintegrating. The use of PVC, a contemporary material, reinforces this idea of a modern reinterpretation of an ancient subject, emphasizing the dialogue between past and present.
“Medusa” is not simply a representation of Greek mythology; it is an exploration of themes of beauty, fear, and transformation. Captivating the viewer with the intensity of her absent gaze, the work questions our perception of what is monstrous and what is human, offering a nuanced and contemporary vision of a figure often reduced to her power of petrification. This Medusa, both menacing and meditative, becomes an allegory of the duality inherent in human and mythological nature.
