Cassandra, the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy, was blessed with the gift of prophecy by Apollo. But when she spurned his advances, he cursed her so that no one would believe her. This tragic tale of a disbelieved prophetess, whose warnings of impending doom were tragically ignored, serves as the foundation for this playful artwork.
This reimagined Cassandra presents an alternate reality where she is not only believed but sought after for her prophetic abilities. Still haunted by the pain and rejection experienced by her parallel self in another dimension. Compelled to take revenge for the disbelief and disregard that her parallel self faced. Imposing stark visions of the future on those who did not seek it out, driving them to madness and destruction and conspiracy theory chatrooms from Mumbai to Milan... deluding herself into thinking, all the while, that this act of revenge is just and true.
The artwork challenges the historical silencing of Cassandra's prophetic voice and the dismissal of female wisdom in ancient societies. By reimagining Cassandra's story, the artwork serves as a metaphor for the women who have been cast aside, their talents and truths disregarded. In giving Cassandra her due, the artwork sheds light on the systemic oppression of the marginalised and the power of resilience. In giving her revenge, the uncomfortable nature of trauma responses are cooked in a crucible of smoke, mirrors, potions and prophecies...
