Goddesses

In this exhibition, New Zealand artist Marian Maguire imagines how the passing millennia might have affected the traditional roles of the ancient Greek goddesses. Athena, Aphrodite, Artemis, Hera, Nike, Demeter and Persephone are all present – and they are restless.

Assuming the Greek gods are immortal and therefore have a continued presence, Maguire wonders: would they do things differently? Would they stay the same and maintain the status quo or would they choose to change, if they could see us now? Would they stay, or would they walk away?

The exhibition comprises five colour lithographs and one etching. Maguire borrows figures from ancient Greek vase painting and statuary, but none of the figures are exact copies. Some are adapted from existing representations; others are inventions, freshly drawn in ancient style.