Bleeding Yew
'Bleeding Yew' is a multidisciplinary photography project exploring yew trees' unique regenerative abilities. By investigating different botanical characteristics of the Taxus species, alongside the reciprocal influences between humans and these trees, 'Bleeding Yew' offers insights that may facilitate the extension of reparative relations in the aftermath of power abuse.
Archival yew-related imagery was considered during the project’s research period. An edit of these historical photographs, postcards, and illustrations has inspired new analogue photography works, as well as cyanotypes toned with beetroot emulsion. Through presenting visual documentation of interventions performed in the landscape, alongside yew-inspired writing, the project hopes to hold a candle towards often obscured and inconspicuous forms of violence.
An early stage of the project involved applying vegetable beetroot paint to different parts of woodland trees, inspired by bloodlike ‘sap bleeding’ that occurs naturally on some yew trees, especially after rainfall. These open insides highlight the yew’s capacity to grow outwards. The application of the dye pairs the appearance of human blood drawn from traumatic injuries, both emotional and physical, with the regenerative potentials of the yew.
The content of this project contains some references to sexual violence and child sexual abuse.