Maiden Tea

Maiden Tea is a reflection on Historical contraceptives used since Egyptian & Roman times. There are 50 here, many of them plants.

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This piece sucked me dry, consumed and spat me out the other side.  It involved a lot of experimenting getting different textures and shapes as I wanted, and so many many hours of work.

 

It inquiries into which history we are taught, and which history really changes the world.  Each limb is based on a real plant used, whilst the head is a Mandrake (also used) but with eyes of vigilance, because we never know when Church or state will try to remove the rights for women.

 

She has lost one breast but gained a pocket full of Silphium seeds. The plant was much used as a contraceptive in Roman times, which contributed to its extinction.  Its seed shape is the possible/mythological origin of the heart shape symbol we use for love today.

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She is 1.2m tall