Medusa — The Monster We Fear, The Monster We Need (Beneath the Work)

Beneath the Work explores the inspiration behind the artworks of Maison Douce: Mythology, Archetypes, Symbolism and more. This episode introduces Beneath the Work, a format exploring the stories, research, ideas and materials behind Maison Douce’s artworks. Topics include: - Medusa as a protective presence on the ancient Temple of Artemis on Corfu. - Contrasting mythological accounts and her changing representation in art and popular culture. - Jungian interpretations of her gaze, the shadow and the repressed feminine. - Snakes and boar teeth as symbols of transformation, instinct and protection. - Making anger conscious rather than simply unleashing it, and its relationship to boundaries. - Humour, playfulness and creativity as ways of approaching darkness. In the final section, Lotte reflects on the making of Maison Douce’s Medusa artworks: the flag’s commanding presence, the gaze of a needle-felted head, and painting as a way to reconsider inherited depictions. She explores the contrast between prestigious art materials and wool, and the moment an object begins to feel like a presence.