Inspiration-
The Greek mythological winged creatures, Sirens and Harpies, were bird-human hybrids; they

can be found in 'The Odyssey' and the Seventh Circle in Dante's 'Inferno'.
Sirens and harpies are seen as feminist icons who subvert traditional gender roles and
challenge patriarchal power structures. In ancient mythology, Sirens were depicted as powerful
women who used their singing voices to lure sailors to their death, thereby asserting their
independence and agency. Harpies, similarly, were fierce creatures who defied male authority
and were not afraid to use their power to get what they wanted. In modern interpretations, these
figures have been reclaimed as symbols of female strength and empowerment. By embracing
these characters, feminists can reclaim the narrative and redefine them as symbols of women's
strength and resistance to patriarchal oppression.
Through the ages, sirens have continued to inspire art, literature, and music, embodying the
duality of desire and danger. They remind us that while the allure of the unknown can be
captivating, it also demands caution and mindfulness. In their timeless appeal, the sirens
continue to echo the complexities of human nature and our eternal fascination with the
mysteries of the deep.

Technique-
Siren Songs (The Chorus Beneath) was created by constructing a hand-cut collage using female

photographic portraiture combined with illustrations and photographs of birds making up a
flowing gown. The bird studies were predominantly drawn from specimens in the National
Museum of Natural History and its research library in Paris and the Natural History Museum in
London.
After coating the handmade paper with light-sensitive chemistry, it is left to dry in a dark room.
The large scale negative is then contact printed onto the paper by exposure to daylight (UV
rays). The print is 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 bird pieces are cut out and mounted onto the base print to create a multi-layered,
3-dimensional collaged cyanotype.

Paper
Handmade recycled cotton rag and Arches watercolour paper
150- 320gsm / 100% Cotton Rag / Recycled / Acid Free / Medium Rough

Paper-
All my paper is handmade using cotton rags, they are ripped, blended and then made into

pulp, mixing in a binder of vegetarian gelatin before placing into a water trough ready to be
pulled into the paper moulds. The pulp sits on the mesh of the mould, the water is drained,
then the paper pulp sheet is laid in between felt sheets and weights are pressed on top to
draw out the excess water and help bind the fibres. Once the fibres adhere together the
sheets are hung to dry for a week or so until they are ready for use.
Each piece is constructed from scratch, fabricating the paper foundation from ripped and
pulped cotton rags, starting the life cycle, building up the layers. Giving a new lease of life to
an otherwise discarded material. Recycling, reusing, reinventing.
I celebrate the naturally occurring materials I use, the way they were so exquisitely made, letting
their organic textures emanate, the undulations of the paper sheets and the hand deckled
edges be seen.
Each piece of handmade paper is a work of art in itself, the recycled cotton rag pulp creates the

base structure upon which to let my pieces develop. I love watching the way the tones of the
cyanotype chemicals develop on the porous surfaces, the way they evolve during exposure to
natural sunlight and seeing the colour intensify when washing in water.

Dimensions
Framed: 16in x 30in x 2.1in frame depth

Mount
We use float mounting for all of our framed cyanotypes. The artwork floats above a
snow-white, acid free archival mount board, to showcase the paper texture and deckled
edging.

Framing
Framed artwork will arrive ready to hang. Each circular frame is handmade in London.
All frames come with gallery spec, Artglass AR70 / 3mm anti-reflective/ 79% UV protected
glazing as standard.
If clients would like a bespoke frame, please let me know as I can have them made in
alternative colours, gilding and glazing options.