In Greek mythology, the Judgement of Paris was a contest between the three most beautiful goddesses of Olympus - Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.

The story began with the wedding of Peleus and Thetis to which all the gods were invited except Eris, the goddess of discord. When Eris appeared anyway, she was turned away yet cast a golden apple among the assembled goddesses addressed “To The Fairest”. The three goddesses above laid claim to the apple. Zeus was asked to mediate and bid Hermes to lead the goddesses to Paris of Troy/Iliam to decide the issue.

Hera offered wealth, power and dominion over all mortal realms. Athena promised every known skill and the ability to be the greatest of al warriors. Yet Aphrodite offered Helen of Sparta, considered to be the most beautiful mortal woman in the world, in marriage (although she was already married to Menelaus). Paris, swayed by the goddess of love, awarded the golden apparel to Aphrodite…and the rest of the tale I’ll leave to Homer.

I chose to spin this timeless tale by depicting three tenacious, intrepid examples of contemporary women and using their divinities in modern settings to articulate my reading of the motives, intent and methodology of the original goddesses - as to me, this tale isn’t about Paris yet rather the enduring purpose and limitless power of femininity.

Each panel owes a debt of gratitude to the following for sheer inspiration - to Klimt (Hera), Kehinde Wiley (Athena), and Leonardo (Aphrodite).