In 2010, at least 432 women and girls died in the United States atthe hands of a current or former intimate partner. This number not onlyincludes the deaths of the women in the relationship, but also the deaths ofrelated family members. Femidice Garden is a memorial tothese women and girls.

Each black rose represents a victim. The height of the individualrose corresponds to the age at the time of death, which ranges from a few weeksto 89 years. Throughout history, black roses have been used to signify farewell,the end of a relationship, tragic love and even death.

Above the bed of roses are housedresses. A housedress representsdomesticity. They embody devotion to home life and care of family. They alsorepresent a wrapper or protector of the body holding the essence of the person,and acting as a second skin. But these housedresses are full of holes,disintegrating, and showing signs of stress. They are no longer whole, theirlives have ended and they are rising above the earth.

The roses and dresses are made of mulberry paper, which is harvested fromthe inner bark of the mulberry tree. This inner bark is considered the lifeforce of the tree. It is the transportation system, which carries the nutrientsthat control the tree’s growth and heals its wounds. Mulberry trees alsoproduce a milky sap, which can be associated with mothering. Nurturing, caringand mothering are associated with women throughout the world. FemidiceGarden is intended to build awareness, createpositive social change and end domestic violence.