Brief: The poisonous woman

2022 Physical print

In researching the treatment of women and mental well-being I was inspired to look at women healers, who historically used medicinal flowers and remedies to treat mental health. They were accused of evil practices, of "having peculiar predilection for poisoning or associated with venemous animals," as highlighted by Author Sara Crosby. 

This sample was screen printed by hand on a meter by 6 meter scale. Geometric shapes classic of the Victorian era repeat to create a cage-like restriction from which the poppies are kept behind as 'poisonous'. Replicating the misunderstood position of women, struggling in both their efforts to treat mental health and recover from mental illness without judgement.