From the Artist
Pandora Unbound, oil on canvas, 30×40. 2009.
This painting is the companion of Prometheus Unbound, this time critiquing the myths around women.
Pandora came to earth and brought a box (or cauldron in the original myth) in which she opened and let loose all the woes on the earth. Here she has broken away from this man-written myth and has the freedom to find her own way.
More About The Art
Pandora is a pivotal figure in Greek mythology, known as the first mortal woman created by the gods. According to the myth, Zeus, the king of the gods, commanded Hephaestus, the god of craftsmanship, to fashion her from clay as a punishment to humanity. This was in response to Prometheus’s defiance of the gods by stealing fire and giving it to mortals. Beautiful and alluring, Pandora was endowed by the gods with unique gifts: Athena taught her skill in weaving, Aphrodite granted her charm, and Hermes gave her cunning. Her name means “all-gifted,” symbolizing both the positive and dangerous attributes bestowed upon her.
The most famous part of Pandora’s myth is the jar (often misinterpreted as a box) she carried. This jar contained all the evils of the world, including sickness, sorrow, and death, alongside hope. According to the myth, Pandora was overcome by curiosity and opened the jar, unwittingly unleashing its contents upon humanity. All the evils were released, spreading suffering across the world. When Pandora finally closed the jar, only hope remained inside, giving humanity a glimmer of resilience in the face of hardship. The myth often reflects the double-edged nature of curiosity and knowledge, symbolizing both the risks and the potentials of human exploration and ambition.
Pandora’s story is complex, symbolizing the human condition and the origins of suffering while exploring themes of curiosity, temptation, and consequence. She is often seen as both a victim and an unwitting agent of change, bringing chaos but also hope. In modern interpretations, Pandora’s story resonates as a metaphor for unintended consequences and the duality of human nature, where curiosity leads to both knowledge and unforeseen challenges. As such, Pandora remains a figure whose legacy is one of mystery and reflection on the risks of human curiosity and the perseverance of hope.
About Michael Bielaczyc
Michael Bielaczyc has been working professionally in the art field since 2001 when he founded Aradani Studios with his brother Paul. Together they have exhibited across America selling both their artwork and costuming. He works in many mediums from oil paint to latex prosthetics, video to graphite.
In 2012, Michael started Lone Wanderer Entertainment with his long time friend Dane Clark Collins to publish books based in their dark fantasy world – Atheles. Since then he has authored 4 books and created the SagaBorn RPG system.
