Muse 1
I’ve recently been noticing how women have been seen or represented in art, history and in many cultures. Muses often depict whimsied sprite-like females with little or no backstory or narrative who have inspired male artists of great acclaim. The original Muses were originally goddesses in Greek mythology responsible for the arts, literature and science. They were created by the union of Zeus and Mnemosyne the goddess of memory. I think its time we reclaim this particular memory – of women only being seen through the gaze of men.
I have been raised predominantly around women, women who themselves have had tribes of women around them. Each had her own attributes – one was particularly good at saying what others only thought, another knew when to listen instead of offer opinions. One made really good tea.
In my life and the lives I see around me it is often strong women who rise from nothing, against all odds survive and strive and they reach goals unimaginable. Loud, quiet, strong and vulnerable they all have or had the strengths and weaknesses that made them exactly who they needed to be. In Australia there are more CEOS named John than there are female CEO’s. I’m sure each John is great and works hard but I’m equally sure that behind every one of those Johns is a female CFO, business manager or host of female employees doing some major heavy lifting in the background. I love a great many amazing men – and I don’t want this project to be disparaging towards them but in my experience it is often the women who will do the soothing, the correcting and the small daily fighting. Yet they aren’t often the ones who are seen or rewarded.
I don’t write great novels, organise events or movements or have any sort of ability to give much recognition – I am a maker. So that’s what I will be doing. I’ll make some things. Little Ode’s to women. Maybe women of fiction, maybe women I have or will come across. Maybe the pieces will embody qualities I’ve seen upheld by numerous women. I’m not 100% sure what shape it will take, how many pieces I’ll make or if there is a clear finish or start date... If you have any great women in your life (obviously you do) or have any biography, film suggestions for women you think could do with some recognising let me know😊