CLYTEMNESTRA

In recognising the plurality of being, and detaching the me from myself, I found the key to this painting, thereby permitting observation of yesteryear's heroes re-enact the events that have come down to us as history.

The pages of the classics can be opened at random and there for those who care to see is an unfolding drama against a backcloth that dwarfs the unseen page. Similarly, I cast the net blindfolded into the unknown of my secret mind and scoop a drama out of a living pageant, the stage being of such vastness that one's self is ultimately lost. With the Olympic setting bathed in a mystical light, one is able to stand on the middle flight of the mind's stairway and be encompassed by an awareness of time suspended. The spherical kaleidoscope is thus witnessed from a point of view that weaves it's way into infinity, a retrospect of Homer producing the Iliad and Odyssey for Zeus.

And so, I emerged from my inner reaches into the light of day, to view the netted chapter - beautiful Clytemnestra, and by what odd chance had she come to me?, because only a while ago I had worked on the theme of Helen her sister who ran off to Priam's palace with Paris thereby prefacing the story that tells of Troy.

In 1876 Heinrich Schliemann the archaeologist brought to light the inner circle of graves at Mycennae and shortly afterwards it was established that Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus were buried outside the city walls. They cast themselves beyond the pale to receive the proffered laurel from Hades. Helen had betrayed Menelaus, his brother Agamemnon was murdered by Clytemnestra who shared the burden of her crime with Aegisthus. The beautiful sisters journeyed through time in company with the poetic justice of Nemesis, their mother, and she is no respecter of persons.

Clytemnestra's guilt was enthroned in her bosom. When finally she fled the prison of her own being she faced the accusing Agamemnon before whom she continues to plead for pardon, that his spectre and the robe of Nemesis need accompany her no further than the tragedy of Troy.
- DANIEL