Because Of You, 2026
Wood, rose thorns, blown ostrich egg

This work continues my exploration into the biblical origins of shame and the historical blaming of women, following on from Forbidden Fruit and Cursed Is the Ground.
The title comes from Genesis, “Cursed is the ground because of you… it will produce thorns and thistles for you”, a passage historically used to place blame on Eve.

A hand-blown ostrich egg sits upon a wooden stand embedded with hand-collected thorns. Rather than symbols of punishment, I reclaim the thorns as protective, shield-like forms. The egg, often perceived as fragile, becomes a symbol of resilience and strength.

Delicately engraved into the surface are the words “because of you”, a phrase that shifts between accusation, resistance, and reflection.