Fred Fabre

About The Artwork

'The effect of a long period of isolation on mental health. In this work I am making an analogy of the present situation with condition of an anchoress. From the XIII to the XVI century becoming an Anchoress was a way a woman would avoid the dangers of childbirth and the misery of forced marriage.

The Anchoress was bricked up for the rest of her life in a small cell located on the side of a church. On entering their cell for the first time, the novice recluse would climb into a grave inside the cell. In place, the liturgy is indistinguishable from a funeral service. In their cells, Anchoresses followed a regime of prayed and were advised that they should occupy themselves with reading, writing or activities suitable to the enclosed life, like mending church vestments. They were encouraged to fast and to remain silent.

It was also a position of authority and social standing but in reality, the anchoress body became one with the cell and became the organ of the church that could be controlled and contained. Although the Anchoress was perceived as a position of authority and social standing, it was another example of how women are represented in Christianity. As the Virgin Mary who conceived without sex (that could prove to be challenging if you try), the Anchoress by not been exposed to temptations should be an inspiration for other women although both of these models are pretty much unreachable.

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- Fred Fabre

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