Pseudopanax Achilles Penthesilea

Marian Maguire references ancient Greek vase paintings to make statements about culture, colonial history, and the role of mythmaking in defining perspective and understanding. Maguire’s 2002 'Southern Myths' series is a revisualisation of Homer’s Iliad in the South Island of New Zealand. In transplanting ancient stories of war, death, love and remorse into the epic landscape of contemporary New Zealand, Maguire fuses various mythologies relating to people and the land for local and contemporary resonance.

Achilles thrusts his spear into the throat of the Amazon Queen, Penthesilea, at the Battle of Troy. As they lock eyes, Achilles realises too late his love for her. The leaves of the New Zealand native Five Finger tree (whauwhaupaku) are a localised interpretation of the stylised linear plant designs seen on ancient Greek vases.