In my project I focused on female protagonists in Greek mythology and how they were victimised and demonised by society. In doing so I have created work which explores themes such as sexual politics, violence against women, and victim blaming.

Using graphic text and symbols, I wanted to bring attention to the portrayal of women throughout Greek myth. I chose to mainly work with the colour black as that’s what I felt was appropriate when dealing with these topics. Through painting, I retold these goddesses’ stories without the flamboyancy you would find in a Renaissance depiction of a Greek myth.

As my project grew, so did my anger with society. I created a survey asking women to share their experiences of victim blaming, which became the inspiration for my painting ‘Our Frustration’. It depicts the many stereotypes, comments and verbal abuse women have to face on a day-to-day basis.

Ciara Sheehan

The Ghost Of Myself

she/her

'Our Frustration', Ink on paper, 130 x 100cm

'Our Frustration', Ink on paper, 130 x 100cm

'More Than You Think', portrait series

'More Than You Think', portrait series

'A Rot In The System', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'A Rot In The System', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'Ignorance', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'Ignorance', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'Disgust', Ink on canvas, 40 x 50cm

'Disgust', Ink on canvas, 40 x 50cm

'Hypocrisy', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'Hypocrisy', Ink on canvas, 80 x 110cm

'Four Siblings', Ink on canvas, 60 x 80cm

'Four Siblings', Ink on canvas, 60 x 80cm

'The Playground', Ink on primed plasterboard, 80 x 120cm

'The Playground', Ink on primed plasterboard, 80 x 120cm

'An Unholy Day', Ink on primed plasterboard, 80 x 120cm

'An Unholy Day', Ink on primed plasterboard, 80 x 120cm

'Mítera', Ink, acrylic and oil pastel on paper, 148 x 128cm

'Mítera', Ink, acrylic and oil pastel on paper, 148 x 128cm