Medusa
screen print
2024
Starting in Ancient Greece, Medusa has been portrayed as a monster for her snaked head and petrifying female gaze. In Medusa’s story, she was raped by Poseidon in the temple of Athena. Instead of punishing Poseidon for his act, Athena punished Medusa for defiling her temple. Athena turned Medusa’s hair into snakes and equipped her with a stony gaze. This moment in culture is told repeatedly in stories not as an act against a woman who was raped and punished, but rather the moment a monster was born.
From that point on, Medusa lived in solitude, unable to face anyone she loved. After Medusa’s death at the hands of Perseus, her power remained not her own. Perseus used her stony gaze to defeat countless enemies in his path. Medusa’s monstrous power was thrust upon her, and her beloved feature—her hair—was turned into snakes; her ability to be with loved ones was stolen from her; and her decapitated head was taken and used as a weapon of war.
This piece aims to replace the title on Medusa from a monster to a woman who has her own story and reclaims her power as her own.
Bre Eickholt (she/her) is a graduate of Ohio State’s History of Art Department. Previously, she worked as an intern at Urban Arts Space. Breanne now works for Downtown Columbus, Inc. She spends her free time traveling, creating, reading, and watching sitcoms. Bre would like to thank Jacob for everything