Patricia Mendenhall

Deborah Small created an installation and digital presentation at the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego entitled Rowing in Eden/Remando en el Eden/Pelando en el Eden/Formando hileras. A collaboration with three other artists, the installation explored the historical relationship between women and plants, focusing on the women who became labeled as witches for their unique knowledge as herbalists or healers. The installation included dried and live plants, a digital projection with images, text and voice, and an audio installation with voice and music. It emphasized not only the women’s persecution, but also celebrated their extraordinary powers and insight into consciousness and divinity.

Curators: Jessica Bradley, Olivier Debroise, Ivo Mesquita, and Sally Yard
Venue: Santa Fe Depot, San Diego

Acknowledgments