Ergot

Ergot. 8"x10" or classique on panel. My painting for the show Made in Medway

Made in Medway: Exploring Medway’s Past Through Contemporary Art
is in partnership with the Medway Historical Society and The Stone Mill Art Gallery, both located in Medway, Massachusetts.

Participating artists chose one of a select number of historic artifacts related to the historic industries and livelihoods of Medway, Massachusetts, to respond to through a contemporary artwork.  These contemporary works will be on display at The Stone Mill Gallery from April 7 through June 8, 2012, with an opening reception to be held on Saturday, April 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.

Upcoming:

  Programming related to the exhibit includes a gallery talk with exhibit curator Kate Laurel Burgess-Mac Intosh on Saturday, May 5, at 6:00 pm, and a discussion with staff from the Medway Historical Society on Saturday, June 2, at 6:00 pm, both at The Stone Mill Gallery.  

From the collection, straw braids and hats from the 1880s got me thinking about Ergot.  something not in the collection, but a curious fungus effecting wheat and related grasses. certainly something farmers then and now deal with. Ergotism proves to be more that a painful trippy ride.

 From Wikipedia: 

 "Ergotism is the name for sometimes severe pathological syndromes affecting humans or other animals that have ingested plant material containing ergot alkaloid, such as ergot-contaminated grains. The Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony (monks) specialized in treating ergotism victims with balms containing tranquilizing and circulation-stimulating plant extracts. The common name for ergotism is "St. Anthony's Fire", in reference to monks who cared for victims as well as symptoms, such as severe burning sensations in the limbs. These are caused by effects of ergot alkaloids on the vascular system due to vasoconstriction of blood vessels, sometimes leading to gangrene and loss of limbs due to severely restricted blood circulation.

The neurotropic activities of the ergot alkaloids may also cause hallucinations and attendant irrational behaviour, convulsions, and even death.