Meghann Stephenson Gives Dante's 'Inferno' a Feminine Rewrite

Bio: Meghann Stephenson, 35, Los Angeles.

Title of work: To The Core.

Where to see it: “Queen of the Neighborhood!” at Half Gallery in New York City from September 9 to October 8, 2026.

Three words to describe this work: Juicy, sour, and bruised.

What was on your mind at the time: My solo, “Queen of the Neighborhood!,” explores femininity, morality, and social expectation through the framework of Dante’s Inferno. The nine paintings each correspond to one of the sins represented within Dante’s nine circles of Hell, reimagined through a feminine lens. This piece depicts fraud. I wanted there to be nods to Eve in the Garden throughout the works. I was interested in the apple as a symbol that could hold both the expectation of feminine perfection and the suspicion of something sinister beneath it.

An interesting feature that’s not immediately noticeable: At first glance this piece might look like a more traditional still life, but there is hint of rot only visible in the apple’s reflection.

How the work reflects your practice as a whole: My work examines enduring themes of gender, interpersonal relationships, and girlhood, often pulling references from historical works and literature. I work with both portraiture and still life, with still lifes such as this one functioning as an allegory for the female experience.

One song that captures the work’s essence: Candy by Mk.gee.