Myth and Archetype in the Studio: An Artist's Encounter with a Goddess

Abstract

This thesis is based upon my artistic interaction and response to the 5,000-year-old myth of the Sumerian deity, Inanna. The main element of this thesis consists of a body of artwork that evolved out of the interweaving of textual, psychological, and artistic research. The artwork is an artist's response to a particular juncture in the descent portion of Inanna's myth . . . the moment of her transformation. This amalgamation of artistic and textual artifacts documents the power of an ancient story, from a long-dead culture, to reach through time and touch an individual life. The written documentation draws from diverse areas of study such as alchemy, mythology, depth psychology, women's spirituality, and women's studies. Through readings, conferences, workshops, one-on-one conversations, active imagination, and art-making I have woven together a glimpse, perhaps a momentary perspective, of an encounter with a divine feminine archetype. I am a visual artist and my lens is that of a 21^st century woman and a maker-of-things. I gather, experience, and express my knowingness from this point of view and my thesis reflects my perspective.