I started with the idea of Medusa turning herself to stone by her own reflection. As I researched the story further, I was drawn to the visual impact of the headless figure of Medusa. I also wanted to expand my sculptures to a full-size figure.

 

I was very interested in ​Medusa, a​ bronze ​sculpture​ made by Benvenuto Cellini ​1545–1554. I wanted to eliminate it but also subvert the misogyny and violence in it so Medusa is reclaiming her own power of her severed head. ​The idea of reflection plays an important part of the myth and I have cultivated it in my art pieces to create a sense of interaction, I replaced the face with a mirror. The idea is this makes it an interactive / performative element because you as the audience become the artwork.

​

In the title I'm playing with what is perceived to be 'real'' and what is ‘stone’ or 'sculpt': what is alive and what is dead.

Though the casting process, I destroyed, or killed, the original (clay version) and yet, it came back to me in a brilliant ghostly white as though it were an apparition.

​

Both a reference to the Greek myth, where Medusa was beheaded, only to lose the life of her body whilst her head continued to be used as a weapon, but also a reference to a digital age, where because of VR and modern advancements both in art-making, but also in a wider context of technology - it is becoming only the brain that is used, the is body obsolete.

​

I have placed My sculptures in a dreamscape sand garden. Sand- because in the myth it was written that Medusa's snakes fell from her hair and was the birth of all the snakes in the Sahara desert. I have added billowing cloth to add softness and movement, vine leaf to show luxury and nature. I wanted to add a ~ ​surreal and dreamlike ~ ​element to the piece with the installation.