all images © 2026 i.angeliki                                                                    i.angeliki@yahoo.com             the suppliant woman@oscillatingstrings                                    

In a Greek place and time, in a small village (Achladokambos) 479 meters towards the top of Mount Artemisio of Argolis Peloponnesos, my mother gathered olives from trees bearing bright fruit and firewood for the hearth. I similarly follow, but in a strange and foreign land.                                                                                                                                                              
I begin twisting and coiling strips of paper into a shape which I refer to as the wrapping. The wrapping serves as the core from which the sculpture (cover) emerges with the layers of covers satisfying the wrapping's need for concealment (protection). The sculptures are made almost entirely of construction materials and debris (predominately wood lath) gathered from dumpsters throughout Brooklyn and abandoned houses in Detroit. I begin constructing a wooden base to support a plywood surface for paintings of divided lines and for paintings of original verse. Each painting is accompanied by a carefully selected sculpture. The poetry ΜΗΝΙΝ ΑΕΙΔΕ ΘΕΑ - MENIN AEIDE THEA draws from the literary and historical Greece, including the ancient and contemporary practice of παιδομαζωμα paidomazoma— violence brought against women and children by a monster-beast ΘΗΡΙΟΝ more complicated and savage than TYPHONOS=POLIS-STATE. I begin twisting and coiling strips of paper into a shape which I refer to as the wrapping. The wrapping serves as the core from which the sculpture (cover) emerges with the layers of covers satisfying the wrapping's need for concealment (protection).

My research interests range broadly over cosmology, Greek literature and philosophy of the 7th, 5th, and 4th c. BCE from Homer and Attic tragedy to Plato, Socrates, and Yoryias. 

         restrained within custody all alone  of not this world  oscillating strings the soul, of the much-suffering mother 

                                   bitter  πικρο το κριμα  the judgement, condemnation, verdict, decision, as in a court case  

                         and we shall listen benevolently for we shall gain if she should turn out to be not only pleasant but also beneficial (REPUBLIC 607b-608a)         

                      I begin mounting 'threnody's defense' 

            ιατρικη θρηνωδιαν αφανιζοντα— banishing threnody by therapy—αφανιζω: make unseen, cause to vanish, hide, remove, destroy,  annihilate, disfigure, deface  (REPUBLIC 604d), (Oxford Classical Dictionary p. 59) ... lest it convict us of a certain harshness ... an old quarrel μεν τις διαφορα between philosophy and poetry ... exile ... isn't holy to betray what seems to be the truth (REPUBLIC 607c) 

          I am not a sculptor so as to fashion stationary statues that stand motionless on the same pedestal, rather . . .  every ship . . . every boat . . . αοιδα SONG go forth . . . spread the news . . . I will halt for not every exact truth is better for showing her face and silence is often the wisest thing for a man to observe  (PINDAR, NEMEAN 5.5)

In a Greek place and time, in a small village located 479 meters towards the top of Mount Artemisio, Achladoκamboς Argoliς Peloponnesoς, and where the first πολεμος battle took place in 669 BCE, according to Pausaniaς ... faced the force βια, the force EYE faced, ringing in my EAR—monster-beast ΘΗΡΙΟΝ more complicated and savage than TYPHONOS—in his fury der Fuhrer's roaring soaring hand the smoking barrel of a shining pistol pointed squarely. She stood her ground. She did not comply. The luck of the draw? The power of persuasion? The drawing of straws?  

           The μυθος myth is not my own but comes from my mother  αλλ' εμης μητρος παρα  that heaven and earth  ως ουρανος τε γαια  were once a single form but when they were parted from each other into two, they bore and delivered into light all things ... beasts ... and the race of mortals γενος τε θνητων (MELANIPPE fr 484).

Which to you, a witness, of THE NEW ART - THE NEW LIFE: The Collected Writings of Piet Mondrian, a citizen of laws and of that which upholds the edicts of nature kata physin κατα φυσιν of manner, of consent, of mother's (ILIAD 16.5-10) of daughter's slim hand upon command 'not comply' anguished cry at the risk of imprisonment, criminal behavior punishable by death, luck of the draw AK-47 pointed squarely having disturbed the law and order of the POLIS-STATE. Travis T. Justice's sweetheart deal GENERATIONAL HYMN TO DEMETER (80-81) ABDUCTION into the depths of darkness EDUCATIONAL. You bet? GENETIC MEMORY over spans of time never forget bait bat tackle shackle rag gag BONE-THIN FEMALE SUPPLIANT force her up, beat her, lead her away, reel time, real crime, kangaroo court public-private 'NOBLE LIE vs ANGUISH CRY' sweetie pie. Can you relate? One felt swoop 'go loop delight' lasso noose tight not loose τρελα trela νους nous cook own γοος gooς nimble foot work 'right foot in you put your right foot out' staccato moves n grooves slaying swaying to the beat 'shake it all about' dipsy dancer soon dead meat meet and greet SING SONG SING 'do the hokey pokey' pitiful swan SONG 'turn yourself around' delivered quickly execution asphyxiation hangman's fracture sweetheart deal plaited rope pointy toes 'and you turn yourself around' sloppy floppy head held taut hard-drawn pitiful final winged words breath 'and that's what it's all about' sounds of life puddle of piss live stream death trophy sport global hit comedy fest. EYE do not lie! Sight for sore eyes! Behold! Original sin wouldn't swallow double dog dare you to similarly follow right before Dawn's eerily light snow stains broken wings ροδοδακτυλος wrists fingers toes womb fetus breast soaked black earth raspberry coagulated jelly spread 'all on a Saturday night!'

          I look not into them but into my own self: am I a monster-beast ΘΗΡΙΟΝ more complicated and savage than ΤΥΦΩΝΟΣ (TYPHONOS) or am I tamer, simpler animal with a share in a divine and gentle manner?  ... haven't we reached the tree you were taking us to? (PHAEDRUS 230a)

               each had her neck caught fast in a noose, so that their death would be most pitiful, they struggled with their feet for a little, not for very long (ODYSSEY 22.470)

Violence cut me down dropped the C-word to the ground spread my legs pattern of blows frenetic pace upward downward cut hack smash innards bash savage task calculated monster-beast ΘΗΡΙΟΝ more complicated and savage than TYPHONOS methodical monster-beast's ruthless hands 'bitch κυον ... of things you are saying ... cut you into pieces' (ODYSSEY 18.438-39) hooked claws slice n dice warm dark blood bath flow deep inside panties gasping gaping extra death womb fetus breast in the black soaked earth coagulated jelly spread prize gory glory head trophy sport. Α monster-beast ΘΗΡΙΟΝ more complicated and savage than TYPHONOS—POLIS-STATE selected parts, collected Writings of Piet Mondrian and heaped my pyre HOLY SMOKES! 'snip-snap-whoosh' roaring soaring blaze off to the races 'slippin' and a sliding' beer dung been told long time ago (ILIAD 23.770) uncontrollable drunken laughter competitive pissing hissing cackling crackling flames under pants prancing perversions CYAss dancing dirty athletic ritual military victory funeral games mutilated torso parade celebrate (ILIAD 22.405) silly sorrow, sorrow silly SING SORROW SING- ΕΥΕ survived naughty bawdy silly αστεια joke! ξενια xenia ΑΓΙΟΣ ΚΑΥΤΟΣ-HOLY SHIT! 

                                 αχ καημενη! πως αντεχεις την αληθεια? executed, burnt, poor woman, how do you endure the truth?

        Homer ... tell us which of the cities was better governed thanks to you ... will he have any to mention? (REPUBLIC 599e)   

One hand washes the other of another dark-robed mother's, daughter of a sea goddess του δ' ου τε darkest flat black ink μελαντερον veil no darker κυανεον garment (ILIAD 24.92) gripping dripping all that matters scattered gathered womb fetus breast ribs limbs fingers toes 'dos-si-dos' now you know mother's heart son's and daughter's, daughter of Leda, of Diogeneia, of lovely haired Rhea, Paieon Παιαν reassured (ILIAD 5.900) death and destruction, instruction, purification, stroked my forehead, gently spread on it herbs that immediately eased my pain terrorists drove me insane, manipulated cervical spine snap bead necklace popped into place, reconstructed aesthetic prosthetic ivory breasts revived me o my broken heart traveling, tiptoeing deeper in time, loud sneeze (ODYSSEY 17.540-45) grace period, sign of the gods assurance, paid in full, ZEUS XENIOS - reinstated lapsed insurance no joke!

Wise do give a rational explanation. 'When a monster=beast θηριον more complicated and savage than TYPHONOS perchance broke wind PEE-U Βορεου North Wind's shameful blast PEE-U triggered a chain reaction. Pharmakeia, Oreithuia and cicadas' chorus drowned in the (PHAEDRUS 229-230, 259b) Ilusis stream is no longer clean or pure pollute it.'  Edit saved Φαρμακεια Pharmakeia but not Oreithuia (shallow drowning). Next Dawn's day, more to display, if, you were to be persuaded by me. Poet say, on the other hand, roll of the dice, gods' vote, take note, Aναγκη Necessity struck down not in accordance exactement avec precision Fated postdated hysterical historical joke inherited plan timeline's rhythm, such a crime, rhyme. Yikes! Yolked! Terrible power and you cannot escape! Zeuς did you smell?  EYE stirred. Cry bitterly for the babes, literally. Sight, sound and scent fill the gaps left by the text. One hand washes the other in the dead of night inscribe marble stele Ampharete's (Attic Greek 400-375 BCE) grief beyond endurance flailing arms as fallen in dust in blood she lay in her embrace. A theme for the Muses truth be told of murder πως εγινε το φονικο of betrayal μες το νερο. In Argos, secret anger, remembers. SING SONG SING for the dead shall be avenged.
 

SING SONG SING reiterating refrain praise or blame thy righteous hand supplicating clutching Apollo's wreath lyre ribbons bow The New Art The New Life, The Collected Writings of Piet Mondrian and her (GAIA'S) creation the long μακρην shark-jagged-toothed καρχαροδαντο sickle (THEOGONIA 173) παθος - suffer - μαθος - learn (AGAMEMNON 175-179, AESCHYLUS) tried-and-true don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today  'for he was the first to devise μησατο εργα hateful deeds' (THEOGONIA 175) the NEW ART - NEW LIFE - TERRORism uncontrollable drunken laughter χασκογελανε  brute force  no mercy  no guilt  no memory  με τη σειρα σε κατουρανε international kangaroo court  POLIS STATE TERRORists piss scum came cum pointed squarely threnody's therapy  glory kill  over kill  mother's daughter's slim hand masters' bait. Sweetie pie, can you relate?   
 

    unjust accusations ... assassinates ... banishes and slays ... transformed from a protector into a perfect and finished tyrant (POLITEIA 565e-566d)           

    του δ' απο μεν ρινας τε και ουατα νηλει χαλκω  ταμνον, μηδεα τ' εξερυσαν, κυσιν ωμα δασασθαι, χειρας τ' ηδε ποδας κοπτον κεκοτηοτι θυμω in the anger of their hearts  (ODYSSEY 22.474-78) 

Harmony of tensions grim steel Ερις Eriς love core strife MADDER (CRIMSON) LAKE DEEP EXTRA thread of life cut the knife beloved wife blood stained nails CADMIUM RED DEEP torn grieving cheeks INDIAN YELLOW BROWN LAKE EXTRA mourning hair cut short lacerated wrists, according to Plutarch, Plutarch Lives, SOLON 21.5  'public appearances of women ... laceration of the flesh κοπτομενων he forbade' last resort frantic feet reach that slippery peak precipice of despair out stretched arms damned darned that lucky charm work of Sidonian women, loveliest in design, what dreams are made of shown like a star, IRIDESCENT SILVERy celestial threads shimmering peplos gift Theono of the fair cheeks supplication prayer 'pity their innocent children' most high goddess of Zeus' daughter Tritogeneia shining among goddesses, denied, turned her head from her, (ILIAD 6.320) on her watch witness Souliotopoules' SING SONG SING dance χορος του Ζαλογγου wail cry 'not comply watch me' leap hurl dive tears of blood PERYLENE RED heavy rains eternal stain steep straight down jagged rocky mountain ridge loveliest in design shooting star cosmic debris scattered swaddled RUBY LAKE RED splattered shattered ribs limbs CADMIUM RED LIGHT ροδοδακτυλος fingers tippy-toes gruesome sight horrific heap death on top of death worn out own flesh injury done flowing from her perforated womb ALIZARIN CRIMSON LAKE EXTRA αιμα bloody remains fetus skinned all the same stone cold dead meat scavengers holiday delight spit-roasted rich sputtering thigh pieces moaning skewered innards screaming oozing fragrant smoke - HOLY ROAST - mind's nostrils all you can eat, who eats the fastest eats the most? Holy Ghost! ate drank whiskey gin vin BURGUNDY WINE RED tears of blood filled to the brim droplets dripping vampire tongue sucked in licking rim sanctified chalice sacrificial CADMIUM RED SCARLET blood drunken laughter and where the BROWN OCHRE LIGHT matter hit the fan PEE U! In the temple of Lycaean Zeus in Arcadia Αρκαδια το του Διος του Λυκαιον? Course of Dike. Does not normally follow. Zeus did you smell?  

             sacrificing women instead of ewes, children instead of baby lambs NOBLE LIE 

             one ψευδομενος Noble Lie to persuade its rulers αλλην πολιν the city a Phoenician tale all over the place in the past, as poets say and have persuaded people but one that has not happened in our time - don't know if it could - requires a great deal of persuasion  (POLITEIA 414c)

The Kretan lie always weeping tagging along Diκe gripping dripping all that matters scattered gathered Nobody's business bloody remains mother's heart daughter's. One hand washes the other of another dark-robed mother's in the dead of night Dike so moves. Next Dawn's day, more to display, buildings bridges falling down. If you were to be persuaded by me. Her anger is terrible!

                                          don't boil a young αρνα lamb εν γαλακτι μητρος αυτου in its mother's milk  (EXODUS 23.19)

Inside the fragrant temple of the rocky citadel of Eleusis, worn out with weeping, appetite, targeted hit job, playback, payback. Sacred chalice tumbled drunkard stumbled grimacing face fell face down hit the ground choking cursing groaning pain pissing puking his guts out ass-hole shitting farting white tie couture gowns military boots dressed to the nines BROWN OCHRE LIGHT matter splattered PEE U! Pharmaκo in vain pharmaκi struck him dead plastered goon man gone bang the gong do-re-mi goddess guide my SING-a-long SONG right before Dawn's hysterical historical no joke reiterating refrain praise or blame thy mine righteous hand quoting 'for he was the first to devise evil deeds' (THEOGONIA 175). Daughter of lovely haired Rhea, nodded her agreement. Her anger is terrible!

Her evil beauty and reckless words provoked him in the dead of night. And that's when the shit hit the fan. She with her own hands cleans, disinfects and gathers all the constellations that the heaven is crowned εστεφανωται, wraps in dark clouds. Leuκippoς and Demoκritoς say move by collision and blows. Pharmaκο φαρμακο medicine φαρμακι pharmaκi poison an inherited destiny of disgrace a grievous quarrel of casting blame bone-thin suppliant mutilated female survivor shackled chained stenciled tunic sodden with tears number no name strip-searches of humiliation degradation harsh incarceration conditions work hard slave pennies for pay like scapegoats eat stale bread place within reach only enough baloney kool-aid to clear the POLIS STATE of negligence medical wrongful death, dungeon-tomb-cell cubicle additional punitive measures no exposure to sun's ultraviolet rays risk of blindness sensory over load heat cold distress stressful positions my aching body cramping limbs turning from side to side sleep deprived night light's ray flash spy monitoring bodily movement in the event of death NOBLE LIE clear the POLIS STATE of wrongful death, sexual verbal abuse 'line-up bitches' cling together pairing up ankles wrists piercing penetrating prolong shackling Dawn to midnight transport no longer by ferry over the Rivers Styx and Archeron, Charon's less scary, forced nudity in unity turn a blind eye while under the threat of badge's loaded weapon we PEED into  bull's EYE xenia!. SING SING SING  'we twirled it into ... roots of the eye crackle ... sizzled' (ODYSSEY 9.385-94) Wei Wei wee wee too into the socket— reiterating refrain physical mental cruelty, inhumane and degrading treatment prison system as a network of slavery and torture camps causing long-term mental medical physical injuries trauma standards deep inside the bowels of the POLITEIA.

Where money is no object, all the more reason, humanity's treason. Dreaded POLIS STATE political stadium public and private arena, recreational athletic favorite competitive force to pay play so be a good sport! Step up to the plate batter up batter 'bloop' single, second batter 'bleed her' third bat 'hit her up' hard line drive bruises and contusions, bases loaded designated switch hit her harder hit laser beam line drive yonder n beyond Yankee Stadium bleachers 'outa da ballpark' grand slam homer game over home team for the win, sons of alcoholic fathers, sons of bitches. 

         hear here in the dark the beating of my frantic heart not a lark laser line drive celestial spark made me fit to help the dead my child my vision of horror SING SONG SING

                          SONG of sorrow SING SONG SING not very long collective throng dusk to right before Dawn

Εσπερα Espera παντα φερης you gather back ... a lamb ... always BRINGS ... ματερι παιδα GATHER the CHILD to its MOTHER (PSAPPHO 104ab, trans. A Carson)  loveliest of all the stars ... you bring the GIRL to a home   AWAY  FROM HER MOTHER (PSAPPHO 104ab, trans. M L West) ΑΓΙΟΣ ΑΘΑΝΑΤΟΣ ΕΛΕΗΣΟΝ ΗΜΑΣ - Danae suffered too - ΠΙΚΡΟ ΤΟ ΚΡΙΜΑ 

      grizzled beard gasping . . . breath . . . in the dust and clutching . . . nakedness exposed a shameful sight (TYRTAEUS 10)   take him across to the mainland . . . king there  (ODYSSEY 18.115)   into a black ship  (ODYSSEY 21.307)   when an old man is dead and down . . . mutilate ... head ... beard . . . parts . . . for all sad mortality, is the sight most pitiful 

      with one hand she held out her breast and shedding tears δακρυ she spoke in πτεροεντα προσηυδα winged words  (ILIAD 22.75-83)

Likening in voice if they bring me feasting wish I could set teeth into his being wise we loathe. Human innards cut up with speech dogs your head and birds will be vengeance! Payment for our tears shed! And I held out my breast. And you know the rest!  

                                  Holy Shit!                           

Son of Euchenor's pitiless bronze rules wisely. Daughter of lovely haired Rhea nodded her agreement. Tender-hearted daughter of Persaios, of the shining head band, in the blink of an eye, upon command, and in a loud voice, the dogs did not disobey. Iambe cracked a dirty joke. Baudy Baubo one upped her. She exposed her genitals and broke wind. PEE-U echoed. Laughter inside the fragrant temple of the rocky citadel of Eleusis. The dark-robed goddess, bringer of seasons and splendid gifts, literally, figuratively, cracked a smile. Her anger is terrible!                                                                                                                                                                             

             that is the way simple narrative without imitation comes to pass (Republic 390a)                                                                              

Daughter of Pandareus came to her as truthful messenger. Not a lark. Sharp pain seized her heart. The olive trees bearing bright fruit shriveled and dropped mourning. This is a dirge. You cry too, 'forbidden to utter dirges ... mourning to be inaudible outside the city wall before daybreak (LAWS 12.960)
    Gods wrath 'cure of evils ... fire ... sulphur' rectified spirits King Echetoς granted all my wishes! XOXO.     

         'a stranger whose suffering never ends, comes here and asks: maidens, which of the singers ... tell that I am he, a blind man τυφλος ανηρ, οικει δε Χιος dwelling on the rocky island of Chios, whose αοιδοι SONGS shall be the best in time to come'  'we will carry your reputation wherever we go as we roam ... they will believe it, because it is true, and I shall not cease from hymning the far-shooter Apollo of the silver bow, whom lovely-haired Leto bore.' (TO APOLLO 168-179) The Homeric Hymns 

YouTube: the captive woman's lament 

sideshow-slideshow, text over image on hover

Translation, when not my own: R Lattimore, Loeb Classical Library, The Complete Greek Tragedies (The University of Chicago Press), M L West, A. Bloom, The Nietzsche Reader, H P Foley, A Nehemas, G Van Steen, P Woodruff, M Cowan, M Culumovic, G Nagy, D M MacDowell, G S Kirk, J E Raven, M Schofield, A N Athanassaκiς, Oxford University Press edition of Hutchinson.

To Gelasto Paidi-The Laughing Boy, music composed by Mikis Theodoraκis, vocalist Maria Farantouri. lyrics by B Behran                          

Sculptures have been exhibited at Allan Stone Gallery NYC, Ruth Siegal Gallery NYC, Michael Walls Gallery NYC, Feigenson-Rosenstein Gallery Detroit MI, Feigenson Gallery Detroit MI, 55 Mercer Gallery NYC Lifesigns curated by Ann Philbin

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

1987  Works in Sequence, Feigenson Gallery Detroit, MI

1993  Works In Sequence, Michael Walls Gallery NYC                                                     

Collections: Lila and Gilbert Silverman, Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Sardelis

Sculptures have been covered by Katherine Kramer Lifesigns, Arts Magazine

BA in Art History from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.                                                                                     

Brooklyn-based 

The photograph was taken behind the DIA somewhere beyond John R Street. It was taken hastily due to fear of an explosion from natural gas leakage in the pit.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Ιωάννα Αγγελική Μερίκα