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sketching in blue - wc williams

𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘢 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘯 by Heather Lee Birdsong, 2012, relief print on mulberry paper, 8.5 x 5.75 inches (paper size), edition of 3 plus 2 AP.

Originally an ancient monster with goggling eyes and prominent fangs that served as a protective symbol, Medusa morphed into a lethal and victimized beauty. According to later mythology, she was raped by Poseidon and beheaded by Perseus with the help of Athena, female upholder of patriarchy (and favorite daughter of Zeus). Many 20th and 21st century feminists have reclaimed Medusa as a symbol of rage and survival.

Contemporary reinventions of the myth typically overlook Athena’s complicity in the patriarchal domination of and violence against Medusa, though that strikes me as a particularly terrible part of the tale. It also feels the most relevant: it is a pattern we see repeated in every story of the powerful abusing those less powerful. It makes us feel alone even when we are not, and undermines the seeking of justice and redress. It is up to each of us to be wary of our own complicity when tested. I think of this artwork as a talisman for this kind of wariness, incorporating both aspects of Medusa’s myth.

I’m so bad at updating tumblr, but thank you so much for 1000+ follows! I’ve made a couple zines these past few month that I wanted to share here.

24

“Reflections of art and life on my 24th birthday. 24 page zine with writing and drawings, new and old.”

The Quiet Months

“Collection of comics and drawings from March to May 2020 originally posted on twitter. 40 pages.

80% of all proceeds will go to the Portland Coronavirus Solidarity Fund created by Symbiosis PDX.”

You can check them both out at https://gumroad.com/anke_gladnick, pay what you want. If you’d like a physical copy of either, feel free to email me a mailing address at anke@ankegladnick.com. Thanks again!

THAT’S NOT A MASK YOU SEEPING HEMORRHOID

wc williams - portrait in ink, paint, and procreate