ELENA PETROVSKA, MA
"The overflowing productivity of their minds has led one of my friends to assert that hysterics are the flower of mankind, as sterile, no doubt, but as beautiful as double flowers."
- Sigmund Freud, Studies on Hysteria, 1895
This quote has made an indelible impression on me and has served of importance in my perception of both my personal and professional life. The image of the double flower has creatively overflowed from my mind to this piece. The flow of life has become a theme I like to explore, as has been demonstrated by my piece and my poetry collection, On My Period.
Flower of Mankind
(Sculpture/Assemblage)
This is a hysterical double flower. The inspiration for this piece is Freud's Studies on Hysteria. I printed out his text, Studies on Hysteria, and created my version of the double flower he mentioned in his text. I wrapped yarn around a pipe cleaner and cut up more of his text to fill the flower pot. The tulle, rocks, and ribbon were hand selected and put together by me. Lavender essential oils were rubbed into the tulle and stem.