Pallas athena

Pallas Athena

Piece description from the artist

The Goddess of Wisdom, Courage, Inspiration, Civilization, Law & Justice, Just Warfare, Mathematics, Strength, Strategy, Arts & Crafts, and Skill. Athena was the Virgin Patroness of Athens. And, pretty badass.

From a series entitled, "Oh My Gods!" which centers on Greek gods & mythology. I was interested in contemplating what makes god & myth, playing with contemporary ideals versus classical. I think of them as a hybrid of advertising & fine art, aimed at resurrecting ancient mythologies. Some are famous, some more obscure. Images of ancient statuary such as Achilles & Athena are juxtaposed with painted interpretations of contemporary promotional headshots. A 1970s Jerry Hall, a 60s Paul Newman, or a 90s Danish ballet dancer (as well as a few others you may recognise). I was drawn to these Hellenic stories, because they are gods of imperfection, with human faults & frailties, compromised not of one supreme god, but an interlocking web, or soap opera, of major & minor players.

Other works by Shanon Playford

About Shanon Playford

Portland, OR

Owing to an interest in art history and contemporary culture, Shanon Playford is something of a painting chameleon. She allows her ideas (or subjects) to dictate the style and approach taken for each new series. Her work demonstrates an unstoppable curiosity for the “what if." Embracing inconsistency as her signature style, she identifies herself as a project/theme-oriented artist. Shanon works primarily in oil. She infuses her work with a keen knowledge of – and playful irreverence to – traditional skills and techniques.

Having decided she wanted to be an artist in kindergarten, she has been steadily painting & drawing ever since. Shanon graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1997 and studied at the School of the Museum Fine Arts in Boston. She lives and paints in her native Portland, Oregon were she co-founded The Portland Art Open, a three day citywide event, whose goal is to make art fun, interesting, and accessible.

See Shanon's portfolio here
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