Victoria Filimonova

BA (Hons) Photography

Devil’s Mark

Prompted by curiosity about how a country rooted in pagan beliefs became the second most affected by the witch-hunts in Europe, this project became a journey of self-reflection. As I researched the Scottish witch-hunts of 16-18th century for my dissertation, I couldn’t stop wondering what my doing would be had I lived in those times? Would I be the one burned at the stake? And, if so, which one? The stubborn and outspoken one, standing her ground until the end? Or the coerced one, wondering if she could be a witch and not know it? Would I be accused by other witches tortured into confession? Or by a neighbour driven by greed, envy or revenge? Or would I be a bystander looking the other way, or filled with glee at my enemy’s misfortune? I hoped to never find out whether I had in me what it takes to be the one leading them to “Golgotha”…

This project was inspired by the research of the witch-hunts in the context of neuroscience and our biological pre-disposition to behaviours at the heart of the witch-hunts. It is based on the site where they burned witches and takes its name from the mark on the bodies of the accused, which “evidenced” their pact with the Devil.

A combination of 8x10” and 11x14” handprinted silver gelatin prints and photograms on fibre based and resin coated papers.