Original artwork description:

This ballpoint pen portrait drawn on pages from Havelock Ellis' 1930s text ‘Questions of Our Day’ depicts Rosalind Franklin. Placing Franklin’s image on this particular text creates a connection between her groundbreaking contributions to science and the broader societal questions about gender and intellectual recognition. The detailed work in this piece mirrors the precision and care Franklin brought to her research, especially in her pivotal role in discovering the structure of DNA.
By drawing her on these pages, I aim to provoke thought about the historical challenges faced by women in science and other intellectual fields. This artwork is an homage to Franklin’s legacy, whilst also encouraging viewers to consider how we remember and celebrate the contributions of women in history. Through this piece, I want to highlight the ongoing conversation about recognition and equality, making sure that voices like Franklin’s are seen and heard in the context of their significant impact on the world.
This work was created as part of a commission with Hayward Gallery in June 2024.
21 x 30 cm

Materials used:

ballpoint pen on antique text