The Conductor

This drawing attempts a philosophical analysis of the Greek goddess of wisdom and war strategy, Athena. Whilst often depicted with a spear, some earlier depictions also give her a flute, which is said to mimic the cries of the Gorgons when Medusa was murdered by Perseus. The drawing explores this transitional period when knowledge and wisdom are initially sought at the expense of others, whose suffering may be trivialised. The transition or integration of the spear marks the turn to the pursuit of wisdom at the expense of the self for the sake of others. The title is also inspired by a character in Lovecraft, where the blind idiot god Azathoth (who created the universe) is kept calm by flute-playing creatures.