by Claire Davenhall

Artwork Description

Convict Prayers Flags

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Ladies handkerchiefs intertwined in a handmade rope, float like prayer flags as they drift across the room in waves representing over 200 convict women from the second fleet, on-board the Lady Juliana Ship in 1789. Made from remnants of white cloth, (evidence from their crime), identical in shape and size of ladies handkerchiefs some with embroidered identity markings, some unembellished and unadorned while others contain handwritten messages taken from convict love tokens. Love tokens or leaden hearts where given to loved ones as act of remembrance. They are a tangible record of the convicts’ own voice, written on a ladies handkerchief, to capture the tears and fears, as they surrender to their fate and boarded the transportation ship, all sentenced to ‘Land Beyond the Seas’.

Artwork Details

Medium: Sculpture Various Materials

Genre: Vintage