REINTERPRETING GREEK MYTHOLOGY THROUGH PAINTING: THE SOCIALLY MISUNDERSTOOD BODY

The body is an aspect that continues to be shaped and interpreted through various social and cultural constructions. In everyday life, the body is understood not only as a physical form, but also as a space that embodies identity, experience, emotion, and meanings shaped by the social environment. This practice-based research aims to reinterpret Greek mythology as a visual medium for exploring bodies that have not been fully understood by society. The artworks were created through the Independent Study Program at Irena's Corner Studio, resulting in six paintings inspired by figures and narratives from Greek mythology: At Salmacis Spring, The Ascent of Ganymede, The Broken Hero, Softness Among Gods, Hyacinth After Midnight, and A Garden for the Graces. The methods employed include literature review, visual exploration, concept development, sketching, and the creation of artworks using acrylic paint on canvas. Through reinterpretation, mythological figures are presented as visual symbols representing identity, self-acceptance, loss, love, and the diversity of human experiences. The results demonstrate that Greek mythology can serve as a reflective medium for exploring experiences that often receive limited space within dominant social understandings. Through the visual language of painting, the body is understood as a space that embodies complex experiences and meanings.