Medusa the Myth and Inspiration
While visiting Istanbul I went down into the Basilica Cistern which is the largest of the several hundred ancient cisterns that lie beneath the city. It is a must visit if you get the chance; it is extremely atmospheric. The Basilica Cistern has 336 columns supporting the water reserve, two of these columns have Medusa Heads at their bases. One of the Gorgon monsters heads is positioned sideways while the other is placed upside down.
It is not known why the Medusa heads are in this position however it adds to the overall charm. They are one of the few surviving examples of ancient Greek sculpture in Istanbul.
They have added some art work, in the shallow water, that makes the place even more exciting to visit. One of the statues is another Medusa and they have her hidden in the corner of the Cistern. The shadows she makes on the stone wall behind her are wonderful; she was very haunting and left a big impression on me.
In Greek mythology, Medusa, also called Gorgo, or the Gorgon, was one of the three Gorgons. Medusa is generally described as a woman with living snakes in place of hair; her appearance was so hideous, that anyone who looked upon her was turned to stone.
Medusa is widely considered a tragic victim rather than inherently evil, particularly in modern reinterpretations of Greek mythology. Originally a beautiful priestess, she was cursed by Athena, after being raped by Poseidon in her temple, transforming her into a monster with snakes for hair. She is now often viewed as a symbol of female rage and trauma
My hair has been a huge part of my identity from a small child. As a child, if you have very curly hair it stands out, especially if you enjoy ballet, as its not friendly to buns and hair nets ! You get nick names often related to your hair like bubbles and curly of course. So maybe I have an affinity to Medusa's head of curly snakes. My dog Rolo has a curly coat when it grows long.
Designers inspired by Medusa
Medusa is a dominant icon in fashion, symbolising power, transformation, and dangerous beauty. Designers have and are heavily inspired by Medusa, utilising her imagery to represent power, beauty, and forbidden transformation.
Versace
Gianni Versace famously adopted the Gorgon as the iconic Versace brand’s logo in 1993, anchoring the brand in Greek mythology and modern luxury. He chose her because she was so beautiful that anyone who looked at her would fall in love and never be able to look away—a seductive power he wanted his clothes to emulate.
Iris Van Herpen
Other designers and artists like Iris van Herpen and Damien Hirst have reimagined her for fashion and art, interpreting her as a symbol of female rage, resilience, and complex, alluring beauty.
Van Herpen known for her sculptural, avant-garde designs, has drawn inspiration from Medusa's form, likely influenced by the fluid, organic movement of snakes. Here is her exhibition 'Sculpting the Senses' in Netherlands.
Alexander Mc Queen
Both Alexander McQueen and John Paul Gautier have referenced Medusa in their work, often leaning into the darker, more powerful and protective aspects of the myth.
Schiaparelli
I visited the Schiaparelli Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum where I saw this beautiful wedding veil. Schiaparelli closed the presentation of her Circus collection, in the Summer of 1938, with a wedding dress paired with this extraordinary veil. The net surface is embroidered with blue beads sewn to resemble snake tendrils of hair. The motif suggests the serpent - haired Medusa, lending a sinister tone to this spectacular design.
Themes in Medusa-Inspired Designs
Power and Protection: The Gorgon is used to evoke "apotropaic" magic, meant to ward off evil.
Transformation and Rage: Modern interpretations shift the focus from her as a monster, to her as a victim-turned-survivor, often representing the #MeToo era's reclaimed femininity.
Visual Elements: Design elements commonly feature metallic gold snake motifs, and sharp, sculpted aesthetics
Catherine's Medusa Ring
My Medusa ring is based on an interlocking lattice design that mixes shiny silver and bobbled silver strands. The bobbled texture a signature of my work and is both tactile and a contrast to the smooth metal.
My Medusa ring has been bought and is worn by older ladies and young men alike.
Can be ordered on line or purchased in my shop on, The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells.
