Cristina. T. Ingbritsen (Tattooed Blonde Punk Art)

FEMINISM & THE OCCULT attempts to challenge the viewer as to whether or not their pre-conceived ideas as to what a witch is have been informed by, and/or contributed to, the misogyny, ageism, racism and violence that often overshadows the true history of witchcraft and the Occult.

My research examines the true stories of female Occult figures such as Goddesses, Pagans and Wiccans, encouraging the original genderless nature-loving concept of a witch to re-assert its relevance into society. I also examine any possible connection between mythological beings, from various cultures, and potential real-life female situations (with a strong focus on cis-gender women). The works come together to create a witch study with the paintings being an investigation into who I’m painting and why I’m including them in my research and the green screen photographs highlighting the important elements of the research through the use of illusions and life-like circumstances.

It was also important for me to reflect on my own personal journey into Wicca, to examine how my Wiccan practice has been influenced.

To quote an anecdote from my exegesis:

‘I was six years old when I decided Christianity and Catholicism wasn’t for me, and as I uttered the words ‘I don’t believe in Jesus, Miss!’ to my R.E. teacher, I’d wondered if I’d said something bad. After seeing her make the sign of the cross and forcing me to read out loud about how wonderful Jesus (supposedly) was, I felt I’d made the correct decision and informed her, “If he did exist, I wouldn’t like him very much.” Informing one individual, at the time, of what had occurred, they told me about Wicca and it’s from there that I dived into the wonderful and troubled world of witchcraft.’

Cristina. T. Ingbritsen, What you think I do v.s. What I actually do, video, 5mins & 30secs, 2022, Videographer: Cristina. T. Ingbritsen, Person in video: Cristina. T. Ingbritsen