"Chicago Odyssey" Portraits of Chicago Artists: A Collaboration with Carole Harmel
Lanyon has given the owl a place of honor within her portrait. She holds a snake and a spear that appears to be becoming a snake. Her surrogate owl rests on this snake/spear, as if to say that war must be used only with wisdom. Surrounded by other representatives of the plant and animal world, this Ellen/Athena speaks to us of the wisdom of preserving the natural wonders of our planet, and at the same time, the value of art in this human enterprise.
Ellen Lanyon as Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, whose symbol is the owl.
Painted and collaged ink jet
16.5"x12"