Lorena Rode, Netherlands

Where my mother marked me, the devil also marked me

Where my mother marked me, so did the devil

By mere stains I was conditioned at birth
As an aberration

Gifted skin of my mother
Specks and freckles
Clear signs of treaties
Of a pact with evil
Touched by the devil
And so persecuted
Overwhelmed with violence
Forced to burn and drown

And other times we honoured them as exceptions
Painted, smeared, and drawn
Inviting a change of faith
Still ruled by exclusivity
But crowned with diamonds and glamour

And now I beg for permanence
Inked my skin for closeness
For more me and less her
30 years of a potentially cancerous presence
A time of slow change
Slow growth and death
Let us dress with chains of glass
For additions that tell of dichotomies

This collection explores the connotations, beliefs, and myths that have circulated our natural blemishes such as moles and birthmarks. They are at one point considered a sign of attractiveness, famously known as beauty marks, and in other moments moles and similar skin features have been associated with negative connotations ranging from disgust and aversion to the horrible medieval concept of the witch’s mark—a supposed indication of a pact with the devil, used to justify persecution.

Borosilicate glass