My Heart the Slayer

2003, Video, 3:00 (Colour, Stereo) [clip]

by Victoria Prince

'My Heart The Slayer' is a three minute experimental video with a Baroque taste for theatrical high contrast lighting and violent imagery. This video was inspired by Artemesia Gentileschi's painting Judith Slaying Holofernes, completed in 1620. Her painting illustrates an event from the Book of Judith in the Old Testament. 'My Heart The Slayer' brings to life the very moment Judith is cutting off Holofernes head, a general come to lay waste to her land of Judah. Artemesia is the first female artist recognized as a significant personality in Europe. She was raped by her teacher who then refused to marry her. Tortured with thumbscrews to test her veracity she was undoubtedly affected by this experience. She is known for her paintings of heroic women.

ISBN 1-55260-057-2