The River made of Tears ( after Ophelia)

The River of Tears (after Ophelia) is a swampy river scene with an Ophelia inspired figure just visible in the murky water - an image that has been reproduced, reinterpreted and regurgitated so many times- is there room for one more? - I wanted to think about repression and emotional vulnerability in this piece (  in the context of violence against women) sprinkled with beacons of hope found through visibility, healing and communication. The real Ophelia in Millais  painting, Elizabeth Siddall- the ultimate Pre Raphaelite brotherhood muse, was  ill fated and died young from poor health, her fragility frozen in time. So much has been going on while I made this piece- I folded it up and took it in my suitcase to London during a really difficult holiday season due to family illness and it still bears the creases/ scars from the travel.  I am also  reading Nobodys Girl - Virginia Guffries harrowing account of surviving abuse. Fragility and hope is at the essence of this work. I think everyone should read Virginia's book - so many stories of violence against women go untold and remain in murky waters.