Harvesting Sepals
“Sepals are an important part of the development of the flowers angiosperms or flowering plants. Their main function is to protect the flower bud as it develops.” Their function and purpose is similar to an ovary, which produces and protects eggs, as well as being responsible for developing female hormones. When a sepal opens, the flower blooms, just like ovaries responsible for women’s bodies flowering throughout cyclic phases.
This work explores Polycystic ovary syndrome which I was diagnosed with a few years ago. PCOS is a common but under researched condition that effects women’s ovaries, hormones and fertility. Through research on nutrition and what alternative methods can help with these conditions, I have created work using pressed flowers and fruit that is significant to PCOS.
Pears are used throughout for a multitude of reasons, one being that uteruses are often described as a hollow pear shaped organ. This fruit is low glycemic which helps with insulin resistance, one of the symptoms for PCOS sufferers whose bodies cannot sufficiently use insulin or break it down correctly. Eating foods low in GI can regulate blood sugars and reverse some of these symptoms. I refer to the language of flowers and use pressed lilies on the prints as they symbolise fertility for hope to conceive.
Fascinated by medical imagery, I researched how alternative photography techniques could mimic something similar to X-ray scans so
felt the translucency of camera less photography and projection impersonates a medical image. The method of using Lumen prints is exposing photographic paper to light, which is similar to medical imagery where light and transparency is needed to view a medical image. I also use overlays and transparencies in this work for the same reason as well as self portraiture to project my own medical scans onto my body. The use circles run throughout this piece to replicate a petri dish feel, in further reference to the medical field.
Although there is no cure for PCOS, I hope this work can help to educate and shed light on the condition, create an awareness around how under researched women’s health is and help those with the condition to ease their symptoms.