Exploring conventions of historic categorisation and pictorial description in botanical volumes, whilst subverting the context of academic cataloguing – suggesting an alternative narrative. At first glance, we read playful and familiar text - sentiments from 'Loveheart' sweets, at odds with their subject, suggesting the potential for malice or threat.

 

For centuries Fungi have been associated with mistrust and evil. Indeed the study of fungi was not approved by the Church until the 19th century because of the long held belief that fungi were the result of the devil's work. Whilst some are good to eat, others can make you sick and even kill. The good ones are highly prized, whilst others are despised, dismissed, or casually destroyed.

 

The modern day Loveheart candy is an updated version of the Victorian era – conversation lozenge, the artist pairs the sweet messages with an appropriate fungi counterpart asking the viewer to question the slogans in a broader social context.

 

Fungi Matters 2019

Four Stone Lithograph Drawings, 32x24cm printed on Simile Japon Paper

​