Psyche Inspired
Learn more about the Psyche Inspired program and view other works
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Psyche Inspired: Gwenan Walker
Institution: University of Southern California
Major: Animation; Human Biology
Psyche Inspired Class: 2022-2023
Reflections on Psyche Inspired
Reflections on Project 1: the origin of spaces
the origin of spaces
gwenan walker
Major: Animation; Human Biology
Genre/Medium: Oil Painting
About the work: This piece was inspired by the classical Renaissance paintings of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, as well as religious works of the same time period. Taking reference from ancient Greek mythology, Psyche and Eros’ love story as the god of love and goddess of the soul have otherworldly implications (even on the ethereal plane), embodying fundamental attributes of humankind and representing a power that even Zeus, the king of the gods, often feared. Their significance in folklore is reflected perfectly in the Psyche asteroid’s significance to space exploration, as NASA’s expedition may provide insight on the nature of our solar system’s formation and all of the planets within it. Psyche’s placement at the center of the piece, encircled by the deities of Greek and Roman mythology that embody the different planets of the solar system, is meant to represent that.
Reflections on Project 2: Heart and soul
Heart and soul
gwenan walker
Major: Animation; Human Biology
Genre/Medium: Digital (Clip Studio Paint)
About the work: This piece ties directly into the Greek Mythology behind Psyche’s name, similarly to my previous piece. Upon taking on her immortal form, Psyche became the goddess of the soul, with the butterfly becoming both her winged form and the Greek depiction of the human soul itself. Since the Psyche asteroid is believed to be part of the metal core of an ancient planetesimal, I wanted to depict Psyche receiving her gift of the soul from the Earth goddess Gaia, portraying how knowledge of our own core could help inform Psyche’s past.
