she was never really alone (after J. W. Waterhouse’s Pandora)

92x92cm / 36×36” acrylic on wood panel, 2026

The myth of Pandoras box (which was actually a jar) refers to the Greek legend of Pandora, who was the first woman on earth. Driven by her curiosity, Pandora opened the jar filled by the gods with all the world’s evils such as jealousy, rage, & illness, unleashing them forever upon the earth.

Here, Pandora thinks she alone is opening the box, but she has many quiet collaborators watching events unfold from the shadows. Their silence allows Pandora alone to take the blame for all of humanity’s sorrows.

However Pandora’s actions did not exist in isolation for the box was sent as retribution from the gods not for Pandora’s actions, but rather for Prometheus’ disobedience of giving fire to humans. So although it was Pandora’s ‘flaw’ of curiosity which caused her to open the box, acquiescence was abundant. She, as the first woman, was an easy scapegoat – a tale which is uncannily familiar.

pmd 2026