Inspired by poisonous plants, their effects, and the folklore, tales and notorious historical events associated with them “The Seed that Stops the Heart’ refers to the literal danger of poisonous plants such as the common Foxglove, whose seeds can be fatal when eaten. It also hints at the seed of doubt, jealousy, anger etc., that might inspire someone to poison a victim.
There are many stories related to the use of poisonous plants – stories full of intrigue and betrayal, and pursuit of power. The legend goes that Catherine DeMedici murdered Jeanne d’Albret with a gift of perfumed gloves laced with poison. Locusta of Gaul, the poisoner of Rome (she’s considered the first recorded serial killer), notoriously took down many royal court members in the 1st Century Roman Empire.
Although the act of poisoning is often associated with women, there are many examples by men too. The Greek Philosopher, Socrates, was sentenced to death by poison with Hemlock (for the crime of corrupting young minds). He is said to have walked around while he waited for the poison to take effect, paralysing from the feet up.
Visitors can expect to see drawings – erased, partially completed, re-drawn, and layered on top of each other. Delicate botanical illustrations hang beside images of blisters, burns and other ailments. Just as many of the featured plants can be both life-saving and deadly, there are a lot of other contrasts in the show, too – light and dark, large and small-scale, beautiful and grotesque.
About the artist
Louise Spokes is a visual artist and marketing manager based in Glasgow. Louise earned an MA in Arts Policy and Practice, Huston School of Film & Digital Media, Galway (2015), BA (Hons) in Fine and Applied Art from the University of Ulster, Belfast (2009) and HND Fine Art, North West Regional College, Derry (2007).
Louise is a former member of Engage Art Studios and Director and Chairperson of 126 Artist-Run Gallery (2015 – 2017). She has worked extensively in the arts in other management, curatorial, and programme coordination roles including Project Manager for the ANTIPORTA project by Chris Briffa Architects as part of TIME, SPACE, EXISTANCE at the Venice Architecture Biennale and Spazju Kreattiv, Malta, 2018.
Louise has exhibited extensively across Ireland and NI, including PS2, Belfast, 126 Artist-Run Gallery, Galway, The Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan, The Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, and The Glebe Gallery, Churchill, and Creative Village Arts, Derry. This exhibition at Artlink, Fort Dunree, is her first solo show.
