Archetypal Women and Goddesses Series - Artist Statement
One aspect of my interests is the way attitudes to women are
historically, socially and culturally constructed.
In early human history, religions and mythologies, goddesses often occupied the position of supreme being or later were at least equally powerful as their male counterparts.
As time progressed they were displaced and downgraded to lesser supporting roles, and eventually as in modern religions completely removed from both the pantheon and as performers of religious rites.
Women were stripped of power, spiritually and materially. Over the milennia, they became more subjugated, regarded as chattels, as representative symbols of vice and temptation, reduced to culturally constructed stereotypes and archetypes which define the roles available to them.
Although some gains towards equality have been won during the last century, they are only available to some women and not much has changed for the majority.
Additionally, some global trends, especially the rise of fundamental extremist religions of all kinds, threaten the small gains that have been achieved.
In early human history, religions and mythologies, goddesses often occupied the position of supreme being or later were at least equally powerful as their male counterparts.
As time progressed they were displaced and downgraded to lesser supporting roles, and eventually as in modern religions completely removed from both the pantheon and as performers of religious rites.
Women were stripped of power, spiritually and materially. Over the milennia, they became more subjugated, regarded as chattels, as representative symbols of vice and temptation, reduced to culturally constructed stereotypes and archetypes which define the roles available to them.
Although some gains towards equality have been won during the last century, they are only available to some women and not much has changed for the majority.
Additionally, some global trends, especially the rise of fundamental extremist religions of all kinds, threaten the small gains that have been achieved.
