ARTIST STATEMENT
‘Persephone’s Womb’ reflects the natural power of creation which women hold. The rolled up political ‘apologies’ within the bottles represent the enduring divinity of the feminine form despite persistent misrepresentation within sexist culture. The sculpture twists morals of the bittersweet love story between Persephone and Hades, toying with the idea that the wood nymph chose her throne of fire and crown of thorns and was never a prisoner. The womblike sculpture reflects the divine feminine capability. A delicate silk so thin and woven so closely that it is stronger than steel and cuts twice as deep as any sword.
ARTWORK PROCESS
Initial creation of the concrete sphere using a yoga ball. Attached a bicycle rim for strength. Decoration of the pomegranate using fabrics, glass mosaic tesserae, crocheted circles and strands, pomegranate prints using pomegranate juice. Creation of the core using wire, cotton sheet soaked with Paverpol, alcohol inks. Bottles coloured with alcohol ink and hung from rim. Manipulation of internal fabrics to create a womb-like effect. Stalk was created from PVC piping, modelling wire mesh, covered in fabric.
