Ares, the Greek god of war and courage, is portrayed in this piece with striking intensity and focus. The use of charcoal adds depth and tension, while watercolour introduces movement and energy, capturing the chaos of battle.

Ares’ commanding posture and expression reflect determination and valour. The background, infused with 23.5k pure gold powder, adds a divine glow, reinforcing his formidable presence. This painting explores the powerful duality of war’s brutality and divinity. It invites viewers to reflect on Ares’ complex role as both destroyer and symbol of heroic strength.

Athena stands out in mythology for her extraordinary birth—emerging fully grown and armoured from Zeus’s head. Her profound influence is immortalised in the city of Athens, named in her honour.

This exquisite watercolour painting captures the essence of Athena, the revered Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare. The artist presents her with a serene yet commanding presence, embodying both strength and grace.

Her helmet features an intricate depiction of a goat, symbolising resilience and determination, while her shield, known as the Aegis, underscores her protective nature. Athena is associated with the myth of Erichthonius, whom she adopted and raised, emphasising her role as a guardian. His image on her armour highlights her connection to Athens, where he became the first king.

The application of 23.5k gold powder on her shield, helmet, face, and body imparts a divine luminescence, highlighting her sacred status and infusing the piece with celestial radiance.

In this painting, the artist Xia thoughtfully chooses green for the background and Athena’s eyes. Green’s associations with growth and renewal metaphorically connect to the idea of gaining knowledge and insight, perfectly aligning with Athena’s role as the goddess of wisdom. The verdant tones create a harmonious atmosphere, inviting reflection on Athena’s timeless wisdom and enduring influence.

This captivating painting portrays Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, and the sun, using a striking combination of charcoal, watercolour, and 23.5k gold powder. Xia skillfully captures Apollo’s divine elegance and radiant presence. The charcoal adds depth and contrast, while the watercolour creates a cosmic atmosphere in the background, beautifully blending realism with abstract art.

The shimmering gold on Apollo’s face and background highlights his connection to the sun and his celestial nature. Apollo’s expression exudes a serene yet powerful confidence, inviting viewers to appreciate the harmony and beauty he represents.

Artemis, known as the protector of young children, especially young girls, she is the goddess of hunting, the moon, virginity, childbirth, and the wilderness. Xia captures her fierce yet graceful presence, embodying the essence of nature and independence.

The application of 23.5k gold powder on her crown adds a touch of divine radiance, highlighting her celestial connection and regal status. Her posture, with a quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder, reflects her role as a protector of the wild and a skilled huntress. Set against a backdrop of ethereal blues and whites, the painting evokes a sense of mystery and tranquillity, inviting viewers to admire the timeless beauty and strength of Artemis.

Dionysus is the Greek god of winemaking, fertility, religious ecstasy, and theatre.

This evocative painting portrays Antinous, the beloved companion of Roman Emperor Hadrian, posing as Dionysus.

His serene expression and ethereal form are captured in watercolour, highlighted with 23.5k gold powder on the lotus flower, berries, and brooch, adding divine elegance. The vibrant red colour in the cape and swirls in the background symbolises his tragic death in the Nile River, where he drowned in 130 AD. Deeply mourning his loss, Hadrian deified Antinous and founded Antinopolis in his honour. This artwork blends classical symbolism with contemporary technique, immortalising Antinous’ beauty, divinity, and enduring legacy.

This painting depicts Minos, the demigod son of Zeus and Europa, and King of Crete. Minos held a prominent place in Greek mythology. As the King of Crete, he was often depicted as an unyielding ruler who upheld laws with an iron fist.

He became one of the three judges of the Underworld after his death, who holds the third and final vote. Minos held a prominent place in Greek mythology, his responsibility is to assess the souls of the deceased and determine their fate, reflecting the importance of justice and moral evaluation in the afterlife.

The artwork skillfully uses watercolour to capture the solemn and authoritative presence of Minos, while his robes are richly painted in acrylics, purposefully coloured in deep earthy tones. This reflects the sombre and mysterious nature of the Underworld, emphasising his status and dignity. The composition conveys wisdom and judgment, his expression is contemplative, and the background is subtly blended, creating an ethereal atmosphere that evokes the mysterious realm of the Underworld.

This piece beautifully integrates classical themes with contemporary techniques, offering a timeless representation of Minos and his enduring place in mythological lore.