Bacchus and Ariadne

Mythological characters Bacchus and Ariadne have been the subjects of many French and German operas from the 17th to the 20th century. Ariadne, the Greek goddess of labyrinths and the daughter of King Minos, fell in love with the Athenian hero Theseus, who intended to take her back to Athens to be his wife. Instead, Theseus abandoned Ariadne on the Isle of Naxos. Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, vegetation, and theatre, fell in love with Ariadne and they were married. Bacchus was famous for relieving people from everyday troubles, and making them feel the joy of life when he just passed by. Many years later, upon her death, Bacchus threw her crown of stars into the constellation Corona Borealis to immortalize her.

Ancient Pillar

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Meet the Artist

Sue Quinlan

My work explores how artifacts can help people connect with universal human experience and explore its personal meaning. My fusion of cultural icons illuminates the connection we all share, including our joys and struggles with ubiquitous events like birth, death and human relationships. These same ideas have compelled people throughout time and were frequently expressed through their art. My use of artifact imagery reminds each of us of the many constants in the human drama. 

Website: sculpturebysuequinlan.com