MA WORK
Coercive Control
‘Notorious Women’ takes a critical view of social, political and cultural issues through creating discourse and debate on the subject of Coercive Control in personal relationships – of which has been deemed as a criminal offence since 2015. Using the power of portraiture to make the absent present, these collage paintings include images both historical and cultural references to portray the stories of women who have fallen victim to coercion.
Research by Dr Charlotte Barlow of Lancaster University Law School shows that 95% of victims of coercive control are women – highlighting the gendered nature of this offence. The new law changes the circumstances for a long list of women who are serving 15 to 20 years in prison for first-degree murder of abusive partners – as in the case of Sally Challen.
Ruth Ellis – The Last Women to be Hanged – 2019
Oil on Canvas – 183 x 140 cms
Stephen Blakely had kicked Ellis so hard in the stomach that she then miscarried her baby – nine days before she was accused of shooting him.
Christine Keeler – Hounded – 2019
Oil on Canvas – 183 x 140cms
Christine Keeler is included in this project because of being a high profile case. Stephen Ward controlled Keeler and although she did not kill anyone she did serve a term in prison for perjury.
Sally Challen – Mentally Tortured – 2019
Oil on Canvas – 183 x 140cms
Sally Challen who is now released from prison after thirty-five years of coercive control. She was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder that was reduced to manslaughter after the testimony of her sons and the help of the organisation Justice for Women.