Hello! We’re Emily & Eden, two friends who share a love of art. Over the years we’ve written, edited and published essays, run educational workshops and created learning resources under the name MEDUSA. Now we’re turning back to our first love: cultural criticism. Hopefully we know a thing or two. You can read our work here or on Substack! Thanks for being a part of the journey.
EDEN SZYMURA
I’m a writer and arts worker whose practice sits somewhere in life-writing, autotheory, diary-keeping and experimental prose.
My writing is heavily informed by art, gender and popular culture. One of my least favourite activities is trying to define my work: over the years I’ve written everything from thirst rambles about Paul Mescal memes to critical essays on Rodin. I recently devoured Heated Rivalry in one sitting, have Jen Calleja’s Vehicle on my bedside table, and will never get over seeing Rina Sawayama and her four outfit changes live at Glastonbury 2023. I hold a BA in English Literature from Durham University and an MA in Creative Writing (New Prose Narratives) from Royal Holloway.
Economic stability for me looks like jobs in communications, visitor experience and education in public art galleries, museums and universities.
You can find a portfolio of my work on my website and find me more regularly on my newsletter and Instagram.
EMILY ELLOWAY WALTERS
I’m a linguist, writer and editor who loves art, music, film, food and slow travel. Having studied German, French (BA) and Visual Culture (MA) whilst organising creative events, I tend to reflect on identity, connection and the arts in my work. I’m also the proudest cat mum to a calico kitty named Louise Pawgeois.
Over the past year or so, I’ve been writing about the seasons for an incredibly beautiful quartet of zines published by Land Ahead. Alongside this introspective prose, I enjoy unpicking what makes culture resonate and have written reviews and essays for Lucy Writers, The Feminist Library and The Glasgow Review of Books. Every so often I succeed in sharing my contemplations and creations on Instagram and Substack – come say hi!
From my perspective, the core of feminism is advocating for the marginalised, speaking out against injustice and dismantling oppressive structures of power. Incited by Cixous’ vision, I hope for MEDUSA to be an inviting, deeply creative space, always keeping her wisdom in mind. After all, it’s up to us to break the old circuits.
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Featured artwork: Apollo and Daphne, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1625
MEDUSA 