In Tomlinson’s oil and oil bar painting on canvas, titled Ssssssssssself Care, Medusa, the Gorgon, is depicted in an unconventional setting—getting her 'hair' done in a salon. Using the Gorgon...
In Tomlinson’s oil and oil bar painting on canvas, titled Ssssssssssself Care, Medusa, the Gorgon, is depicted in an unconventional setting—getting her "hair" done in a salon. Using the Gorgon as a symbol of reclaiming power and resisting objectification. The work recognises the prevalent male-centric narratives that have dominated history and mythology. In Ovid's rendition of the Medusa myth, it's Poseidon who commits the heinous act of raping Medusa within Athena's sacred temple. Instead of punishing Poseidon, the perpetrator, it's Medusa, the victim, who suffers Athena’s anger and is cursed with serpent locks and a lethal gaze. Unlike the tale of Medusa, within this painting, she is being respected and empowered by an act of care - her snakes are being cared for, washed, combed, and fed mice. However, could this self-care be a tactical approach, conforming to patriarchal beauty standards so she can seduce her next victim? Beauty as a weapon.