Exhibitions
Womb with a view
Women and, by default, their bodily organs—a central one being the womb—are not seen as important in most scientific research. Research by women and of women has historically been marginalised—the moon reflecting the light rather than the light itself.
'Womb with a View' is a project inspired by the cyanotypes of early female botanists, in particular Anna Atkins, who pioneered the technique of cyanotype printing as one of the earliest forms of photography.
I have taken flowers and plants and used them to create cyanotype visualisations of the womb and conditions that affect the womb, such as endometriosis. Central to the exhibition is a 'Wombdial' representing the 8 phases of the moon. The link between the moon phases and the menstrual cycle has not been conclusively scientifically proven, but is widely reported anecdotally. The intention here is not to present this as a 'truth' but rather to use this 'folklore' and the mechanism of the moon phase calendar to highlight the gender inequalities that exist in scientific and health research.
My creative practice encompasses a range of media and processes including printmaking and painting. I started the MA Art in Science programme at LJMU to expand my practice and to explore the intersection of art in science, particularly in the area of the medical humanities.
An important part of the 'Womb with a View' project is gathering and sharing the stories we have of our wombs.
I want this project to become a space where people can share their womb stories from the first period, fertility journeys or the impact of menopause.
Whether you have a womb or not, you came from one, and you most certainly know people whose wombs affect their daily lives, and by proxy, yours too. This is your space to share your experiences.
WARNING: This exhibition features imagery and content around medical conditions, menstruation, pregnancy loss and fertility. Viewer discretion is advised. A list of support and resources is available at www.wombwithaview.co.uk/bibliography