Minerva is the Roman equivalent of the Greek goddess Athena. She was a virgin goddess of wisdom, arts, trade, and strategic warfare. Minerva is often depicted with her sacred creature, the owl, which became an emblem of wisdom. Owls were seen as bearing qualities of wisdom, vigilance, and acute perception, characteristics that were also attributed to Minerva (and Athena). The association between the owl and wisdom likely comes from the owl’s ability to see in the dark, representing insight and knowledge that can “penetrate the darkness” of ignorance. Minerva was often depicted with an owl, reinforcing her role as a goddess of wisdom.
The image of Minerva and her owl has left a lasting impact on Western culture. Representations of owls are still often used in modern times as symbols of wisdom and knowledge. This association can be seen in various educational institutions and scholarly endeavors, hearkening back to the ancient connection between the wise owl and the goddess of wisdom.
Minerva, is part of a painting series dedicated to the celebration of divine feminine energy. Each piece in this series showcases a formidable feminine entity adorned with head embellishments or crowns, interwoven with cosmic symbols.
During some reflection, I came to recognize a deeply ingrained resistance within me, a reluctance to embrace my feminine essence—an effect of societal and cultural conditioning. In the wake of overturning Roe v. Wade, I did some soul-searching, looking inward for a meaningful response. It was during this reflection that the seed idea of this series took root. I firmly believe that these paintings draw their inspiration from other realms, bridging the earthly and the divine. They are a way to heal/respect our feminine energies and help to integrate any part of us which may be “stuck”.
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