Peace After Wrongful Conviction

When researching content for this piece I had in mind the 5th century BC depictions of Medusa. In these, she’s portrayed as a beautiful woman who swore chastity as a priestess at the Temple of Athena. There, she was raped by Poseidon and subsequently punished by Athena. Abandoned to a remote island along with her famous curses of serpentine hair and deadly gaze, her fellow woman betrayed her when she needed her most. To add insult to injury, with the help of Athena, she was hunted and killed by Perseus. Medusa’s head was gifted to Athena to use on her shield as a weapon. This brutal display of a woman going against her sister in her time of need is tragic. If Medusa did become bitter and evil, there would be no mystery as to why. However, in my depiction, I show Medusa healing from her painful experiences. I want her to look as though she’s realised that these malicious acts weren’t her fault and that she is whole and worthy of happiness. Sadly, even if she did accomplish this state of being in life, Athena would inevitably have her head.