Prometheus Unbound

30x40". oil on canvas.

The inspiration for this piece is our culture's (meaning the United States) view of what is masculine. Being a male who is a non-violence advocate, vegetarian, and feminist, my masculinity often comes into question. I view this as strange that our culture tends to celebrate men who are the opposite of me, those who don’t think, but “Just do it”, those whose first instinct is to solve a problem with violence instead of reason, who think eating a triple thick burger with bacon is what a real man should eat. I contrasted this with the myth of Prometheus, the titan who brought fire, and civilization, to man. For doing this, the head god, Zeus, punished him by having an eagle eat his liver each day. I wanted to picture him having set himself free, breaking the bonds of what was forced on him. A personal touch and personal symbol of mine is the bound legs. I see this as my own dreams, to have such lofty goals that I expect to never have to land again.

About the Artist:

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.

You can see his complete work at www.michaelbielaczyc.com .

Artist Statement:

True myth has slowly been destroyed by modern culture. We have found light in the darkness, and with it shut the door to true belief in the unbelievable.We are left only with personal mythologies, views which can only really be understood by our solitary self.

I feel my only option is to share my myths and hope it sparks a little bit of belief in something beyond ourselves.