Mortar and pestle
Roots, barks, fruits, nectars, leaves, and stems. Stewed, infused, distilled, decocted, crushed, and burned. Drunk, eaten, or applied as a poultice. Herbalists and healers of African descent have long developed treatments for both body and soul that tend to the natural and supernatural causes of illness. Here, the imagined conjure women who occupy this home follow generations of historical healers and transmute plant matter into cures by adapting traditional belief systems, Indigenous plant knowledge, and the types of European equipment on view. Their everyday alchemy of medicine aligns science, magic, and spirituality in order to protect this home and its collection of cultural treasures.
Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
