The Pomegranate

 

The above images show a Kore statue, circa 570-560BC, a kore is a freestanding statue of a maiden. The pomegranate typically represents fertility within Ancient Greek culture, not just that of a woman's fertility, but of fertile crops and land. This statue in particular could represent the woman depicted's own fertility as she is holding the pomegranate close to her womb.

"The pomegranate fruit has been used throughout history and in virtually every religion as a symbol of humanity’s central beliefs and ideals, namely, life and death, rebirth and eternal life, fertility and marriage, and abundance."  (Hamburger, 2014)

The images I've taken show the pomegranate whole and cut in half, I cut up a plastic wallet so I wouldn't stain the white duvet cover. I used natural light coming from the window to give a lighting effect similar to Vermeer's 'Woman in Blue Reading a Letter', there has been some discussion as to whether the woman is pregnant so I feel that due to the symbolism of the pomegranate the lighting choice is a suitable allusion to this Golden Age painting. 

I wanted to present more symbolism in my work, the white bed sheets suggest purity, especially with the fact that the bed is made; there is also a great contrast with the deep orange-red colour of the pomegranate and pillows with the duvet. I also wanted to address arranged (and forced) marriages in my work, although rare in Britain arranged marriages still happen have consent from both parties, forced marriages are a major problem, and do not require any consent.

Forced Marriage Statistics

The following statistics have been taken from plan-uk.org, a charity dedicated to end early and forced marriages. 

• 1 in 3 girls in the developing world are married by their 18th birthday. This can end their chance of completing an education and puts them at greater risk of isolation and violence.

• For girls under 15 the incidence of early and forced marriage is 1 in 9. Some are married as young as five years old.

• Victims of early and forced marriage typically have children very young. Approximately 70,000 girls die in labour every year because their bodies aren’t ready for childbirth. 

(Plan-UK.org, 2014)

I feel like knowing these statistics changes the reading of the images completely, the juice "stains" on the sheet suddenly take a darker meaning, it's the loss of innocence, of virginity. Although I want my narratives to be art works, they can still raise awareness.