Odysseus The Journey From Troy

This Mixed Media Abstract Painting depicts the moment when the 10 year voyage of the Odyssey begins, with Odysseus escaping on a ship with glorious sails through the help of Athena away from the fallen city of Troy to journey home back to Ithaca.

Composition and Imagery
The abstracted architecture in the background suggests the remnants of Troy, now a memory fading into the distance, and perhaps even the city of Ithaca, Odysseus’s ultimate destination. The layers of vertical and diagonal lines represent masts, sails, and rigging, while the sweeping, fluid shapes evoke the movement of the sea. My intention in depicting these structures is to give a sense of both place and transition. Odysseus is leaving behind one world and entering another, embarking on a journey both physical and spiritual.

Colour Palette
The dominant blue tones I’ve used in this piece are layered to feel deeply evocative, symbolising the vastness and mystery of the sea. The range of blues, from dark navy to lighter turquoise have been built to create depth and movement, hinting at both the beauty and dangers that lie ahead. 

I’ve always been intrinsically drawn to blues believing these hues align with themes of divine protection and fate, as blue often symbolises wisdom and serenity, qualities associated with Athena, who aids Odysseus. Touches of white and softer colours offer a contrast, in a sense symbolising the hope and the guiding light Athena provides.

Style and Medium
My intention with this piece has been to introduce an abstract style with detail that captures the mythological and timeless quality of The Odyssey. By blending and layering my hope is that I’ve captured a dreamlike, almost surreal atmosphere that evokes the complexity and unpredictability of Odysseus's journey. 

The textures in the painting are also there to suggest the weathered and enduring qualities of both the ship and the sea, as if these elements have stories of their own. The visible brushstrokes and rough textures have been added over a series of days and weeks where I’ve come back and added touches here and there whilst listening to music to imbue it with a sense of movement, as though the painting itself is on a voyage.

Symbolism of Sails and Shapes

The central triangular shape, which represents a sail, is rendered with a combination of light and dark areas. This sail has been painted to appear almost luminous, as if blessed by Athena, guiding Odysseus away from Troy. The shapes surrounding it hint at turbulent waters, signifying the trials he will face. This play between light and dark captures the dual nature of the journey, where glory and danger coexist.