“FOR ALL THE RAPED WOMEN” poster

Medusa has not always been a monster. She was originally a beautiful maiden, a servant in Athena’s temple. Poseidon, the god of the sea, fell in love with her and, unable to control his desire, raped her one night within the sacred temple. Athena, witnessing the violation and outraged by the desecration of her holy space, chose not to punish the perpetrator, Poseidon, but instead the victim, Medusa. She transformed her into the monster we now know.

For the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I decided to design a poster that reimagines the mythological figure of Medusa as a symbol of empowerment and justice. The artwork depicts Medusa, proud and defiant, holding the severed head of Poseidon (a clear nod to Benvenuto Cellini’s sculpture of Perseus with Medusa’s head), overturning the patriarchal narrative of the myth. Medusa, a victim of violence and unjustly punished by Athena for the crime committed against her, becomes here a symbol of redemption for all women who have been violated and oppressed. Below the image, the caption reads: “FOR ALL THE RAPED WOMEN.” For all the women whose lives have been shattered.

This work serves as a visual reflection on the urgent need to break the endless cycle of violence and injustice women face daily. Now more than ever, we cannot remain passive spectators. We must act—especially us men—to protect women’s rights, educate our children on respect, and build a world where love is never violent.

Let us always remember that this is not the only world possible. And certainly not the best one.