SOLVING FOR UNKNOWN QUANTITIES: Encaustic, human hair, oil on panel
The series of works entitled “Solving for Unknown Quantities” includes oil paints containing heavy metals and binds them into a wax encaustic surface with, among other things, human hair—often used to test for toxic exposure and ingestion. Evoking references to 19th century naturalists’ drawings, specimen collections, and Victorian era cameos, these works explore the territory where danger and beauty meet…territory all to familiar to women still today.