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More from `wroth

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July 29, 2008
493 KB
888×888
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Comments: 232
Favourites: 1,212 [who?]


Views: 23,932 (2 today)
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:iconwroth:
A print of this work is available at `ArtistsForCharity you can find it here. Profit from the sale of this or any other print from the AFC store goes to a good cause! The cool people, Ikue, are buying them and you want to be cool too right? Be cool and do a little good by supporting AFC :nod:

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Image Description:

Worked off and on over this for awhile, unusual for me to post vector but here we are.

The Medusa fable is told in a variety of ways, but the versions that interests me paint Medusa as a beauty ravished by Poseidon while worshipping in Athena's temple, and then cursed by that vengeful goddess for affront. Her cherished hair turned to snakes, and her striking eyes made to turn suiters or anyone else to stone, etc, essentially her beauty turned against herself and being victimized twice over. This is a more sympathetic characterization then those that cast her only as a hideous monster that needs vanquishing, and after all what is more dangerous scary then overpowering beauty? It's a more interesting version this way, mainly with how the myth relates to the raise of patriarchy and it's impact subjugating and discrediting the serpent symbolism and early goddess worship that preceded it.

The focus of this was obviously the eyes almost exclusively and the rest of the myth was largely left out, with a few supporting elements included. Using skeletonized snakes avoids some of the phallic connotations and are more visually interesting imo. The poppies are emblematic of sleep and death, and imo also the overwhelming power of opiates, I thought it was apt to represent the stoning effect of the gaze without having to show statues [a song about heroin partly inspired the choice of this]

Credit for the reference photo goes to $chix0r and her bluest eyes :faint:.

Your critiques are welcome, thanks for looking.


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(Open Edition) Print Version: "Full" Version available at `ArtistsForCharity, here

(also see the :bulletgreen: "Black" Version)
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Daily Deviation

Given 2008-08-08
Oblivion by `wroth is one of those rare pieces that make you sit back and go... "whoa!" The intensity in this piece is just mesmerizing. And the artist himself is an amazing guy. Which is why I'm proud to say this deviation has popped my Print Cherry. ( Featured by $Ikue )

The Artist has requested Critique on this Artwork

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:icon7shadows:
~7shadows Jun 9, 2011
I love the eyes on this one. They're deep and mesmerizing.
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:iconshayzira:
*Shayzira Feb 16, 2010  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Hahaha gotta love those opiates.....
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:iconwroth:
`wroth Feb 16, 2010
:nod:
Reply
:iconjrhyme:
~JRhyme Sep 3, 2009  Student Digital Artist
Amazing
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:iconviliolettee:
~viliolettee Jun 17, 2009
hey! wow!!!! and oblivion sounds so good on it!!!
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:icondoomboy911:
~doomboy911 Mar 8, 2009
Wow thats a very new look at medusa though most have portrayed her as beautiful ,but still somewhat terrifying. Though its none of my concern if your interested in mythology you should read "american born chinese".
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:icontanithlipsky:
~TanithLipsky Feb 16, 2009
cool
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:iconobjectsinmotion:
~objectsinmotion Jan 10, 2009   Writer
A highly detailed element (the "vascular" eyes) transitioning seamlessly into a flat gradient (the rays), all part of the same general shape, is very remarkable to me.

It feels as if you've harnessed both the power of photorealism and pop art for this peace, and neither are fighting each other for prominence.

Wonderful!!
Reply
:iconwroth:
`wroth Jan 11, 2009
Thanks for taking the time to have a deep look at the work and the time to leave such detailed feedback :thanks:

And for the watch and favs as well of course'
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:iconobjectsinmotion:
~objectsinmotion Jan 10, 2009   Writer
>"for this piece", even
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