Queen Boudicca - A Life in Legend

Title | Queen Boudicca- A Life in Legend Type | Original 3D Cyanotype Inspiration | Boudicca
Year | 2024

Materials | Cyanotype, handmade paper, papercut collage 21.85 in x 30.5in x 2.17in (frame depth)

Inspiration-
This artwork was inspired by Boudicca, ancient warrior Queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe, and an important British cultural folk hero. Her name is derived from the word victorious, she led a rebellion to fight the Roman army.

Boudica had the charisma and spirit to unite tribes, lead armies and shake one of the greatest empires the world had ever known. British history is marked by women who were not cowed by the powerful, who would not be silenced, who had the courage to stand up, to be seen and heard.

Though she lost her battle and her cause, Boudicca is celebrated today as a national heroine and a universal symbol of the human desire for freedom and justice. She united thousands of ancient Britons, stood up for what she believed in, fought against social injustice; she was known as a pagan queen, an unruly woman and a valiant warrior, this is a celebration of all unorthodox women. Her legacy reminds us of the power of resilience and the enduring spirit of those who refuse to bow to tyranny.

Boudicca's story resonates through the ages as a symbol of unwavering strength and the unbreakable bond between a leader and her people in the pursuit of justice and autonomy. She remains a testament to the resilience and courage of women who have stood as defenders of their homes and champions of their people throughout history.

With this piece I wanted to turn the conversation away from misogynistic ire and suspicion stemming from a deep rooted distaste for women in power and instead convey a sense of unity, empowerment and bold feminine strength.

Boudicca had many roles in her life; a multifaceted and complex heroic identity was born. She was a rebel, queen, warrior, widow, mother, woman. She was celebrated by authors, artists and

poets who saw her as a symbol of freedom, rebellion, courage and strength of a nation and at the same time also a suitable heroine for children and young women giving her the name Mother England.

The colours in this cyanotype artwork reflect the exact hues of the deep blue plant pigment woad (Isatis tinctoria) used by ancient Britons as warpaint during Boudicca's reign. I expose all my pieces in natural light for up to a couple of weeks. Printing in all weather conditions, doing everything by eye and in the most organic way possible, this enables me to be at one with each piece I create and capture the true essence of Mother Nature within.

Technique-
Queen Boudicca- A Life in Legend was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female photographic portraiture and hand drawn illustrations and photographs of horses and tin models.

After coating the handmade paper sheets with light-sensitive chemistry, they are left to dry in a dark room. The large scale negatives are contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV rays). The exposure can take up to a month depending on the weather and seasons.

The prints are then processed by thoroughly washing in water to remove any unexposed solution. It can then be hung to dry, developing to full density Prussian blue after 24 hours. Once dried the individual component parts are cut out and mounted onto the print to create a multi-layered, 3-dimensional artwork.

Dimensions

Framed: 21.85 in x 30.5in x 2.17in (frame depth)

Paper

Handmade recycled cotton rag paper:
150gsm- 320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Mount

We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a

snow-white 8001 mount board, to showcase the paper texture and deckled edging. All materials are museum grade and archival.

Framing

Framed artwork is ready to hang.
Each frame is handmade by our London based design team.

All frames come with gallery spec, 2mm thick Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected glazing as standard.