TRANSFORMS
Greek mythology was a way of explaining the world, and the imagery described in its tales inspired the art of storytelling. Poring over Ovid's "Metamorphoses," I became fascinated with the recurring theme of transformation and the darkness it entails. I have created concept art based on six of Ovid's tragic tales, illustrating the characters in the key stage of metamorphoses.
This body of work is centered around the tales of The Gorgons, Daphne, Persephone, Icarus, Arachne, and Eurydice. All the characters have been transformed from their human form into something twisted and sinister. I fancied Ovid's "Metamorphoses" to be a screenplay, challenging myself to visually set the stage for a critical scene in each tale.
Greek mythology was a way of explaining the world, and the imagery described in its tales inspired the art of storytelling. Poring over Ovid's "Metamorphoses," I became fascinated with the recurring theme of transformation and the darkness it entails. I have created concept art based on six of Ovid's tragic tales, illustrating the characters in the key stage of metamorphoses.
This body of work is centered around the tales of The Gorgons, Daphne, Persephone, Icarus, Arachne, and Eurydice. All the characters have been transformed from their human form into something twisted and sinister. I fancied Ovid's "Metamorphoses" to be a screenplay, challenging myself to visually set the stage for a critical scene in each tale.
THE GORGONS
"They were very lovely once, the hope of many an envious suitor, and of all their allure, their hair was most beautiful. The goddess Athena, punishing the vain women, changed their hair to serpents. The monsters were so terrifying that anyone who gazed upon them was turned to stone."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 4
"They were very lovely once, the hope of many an envious suitor, and of all their allure, their hair was most beautiful. The goddess Athena, punishing the vain women, changed their hair to serpents. The monsters were so terrifying that anyone who gazed upon them was turned to stone."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 4
DAPHNE
"Torpor seized on all her body, and a thin bark closed around her gentle bosom. Her hair became as moving leaves, her arms as waving branches, and her active feet were fastened to the ground as clinging roots. Her face was hidden with encircling leaves."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 1
"Torpor seized on all her body, and a thin bark closed around her gentle bosom. Her hair became as moving leaves, her arms as waving branches, and her active feet were fastened to the ground as clinging roots. Her face was hidden with encircling leaves."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 1
PERSEPHONE
"She was gathering sweet flowers, violets and white lilies, and so many that the basket would not hold them all! Lovelier even than the flowers, Persephone caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. In one moment she was swallowed up in the ground and taken in Hades' rush of love, cursed to forever be caught between the land of the living and the world of the dead."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 5
"She was gathering sweet flowers, violets and white lilies, and so many that the basket would not hold them all! Lovelier even than the flowers, Persephone caught the eye of Hades, god of the underworld. In one moment she was swallowed up in the ground and taken in Hades' rush of love, cursed to forever be caught between the land of the living and the world of the dead."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 5
ICARUS
"Foolish Icarus forsook his guide and, bold in vanity, began to soar, rising upon his wings to touch the skies. However, as he neared the scorching sun, its heat softened the fragrant wax that held his plumes. He waved his naked arms and, with no more feathers to sustain his flight, fell into the ocean."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 8
"Foolish Icarus forsook his guide and, bold in vanity, began to soar, rising upon his wings to touch the skies. However, as he neared the scorching sun, its heat softened the fragrant wax that held his plumes. He waved his naked arms and, with no more feathers to sustain his flight, fell into the ocean."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 8
ARACHNE
"Her slender fingers gathered to her sides as long thin legs, and all her other parts were fast absorbed in her abdomen, whence she vented a fine thread; and ever since, Arachne, as a spider, weaves her web."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 6
"Her slender fingers gathered to her sides as long thin legs, and all her other parts were fast absorbed in her abdomen, whence she vented a fine thread; and ever since, Arachne, as a spider, weaves her web."
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 6
Eurydice
"They climbed the path up the steep murk through absolute silence. They were near the upper land when Orpheus, eager to see his beloved Eurydice, looked back in love, and she was gone in a moment. Her last word spoken was "Farewell!" which he could barely hear, and with no further sound she fell from him again to Hades.
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 10
"They climbed the path up the steep murk through absolute silence. They were near the upper land when Orpheus, eager to see his beloved Eurydice, looked back in love, and she was gone in a moment. Her last word spoken was "Farewell!" which he could barely hear, and with no further sound she fell from him again to Hades.
Ovid, Metamorphoses, Book 10
