The Portico’s new exhibition will explore feminism, magic and ritual healing

A new exhibition coming to The Portico Library explores feminist themes of wellbeing, ageing and place in relation to magic and ritual healing.

Opening this October, Witches & Healers draws on Rosie Reed Hillman’s groundbreaking project Something That Was Ours, which explores what it means to be a witch today.

Hillman’s portraits of witches and healers are curated in dialogue with historic texts chosen by critical friends who identify with the practice of witchcraft and/or healing. The portraits, the books chosen, and their interpretation offer unique insights into the diverse lives and stories of women who live as witches and healers.

Using a mix of moving image and photography, the artwork builds a sensory and emotive portrait of women in midlife. Covering themes of menopause, mental health, climate change, and marital breakdown, this work explores the ways women have reclaimed the word witch and sought solace in ritual and magic.

Speaking about the exhibition, Rosie Reed Hillman says: “I have worked to build rapport with contributors over the last four years and believe the intimate access conveyed in this project creates an exhibition that inspires empathy, curiosity and a greater understanding of issues facing women, both now and in the historic context through the lens of the ‘witch’.

“Women in midlife of all backgrounds are an overlooked demographic who want to see art and hear stories that reflect their experiences, and I hope this work speaks to them especially.”

Historic books, which have been chosen for display by Rosemary Wood, Becca Smith, Alice Measom McMahon, and Polly Anna Steiner, address environmental connections and the use of plants in healing by witches and healers, as well as local representation of witches in the Northwest of England and colonial stereotyping. Books on display include J. G. Frazer’s The Golden Bough, William Harrison Ainsworth’s The Pendle Witches, and Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea.

Dr Debbie Challis, Creative Producer for the Portico Library, comments: “We are delighted to work with Rosie Reed Hillman on an exhibition that explores and celebrates the resilience of women in midlife and unpicks stereotypes of the witch. Working with Rosie and the critical friends Alice, Becca, Rosemary and Polly Anna have led to deep conversations, new understandings, lots of laughter and occasional tears.

“The combination of displaying portraits with our historic books invites people to reflect, think and feel about what it has meant for women to age in the past and present.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of workshops, events and film screenings of Something That Was Ours. Witches & Healers launches at The Portico on Thu 8 Oct.