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Domestic violence tableau

Bruise (chemical healing)
Lambda platinum print encased in acrylic, 44"w x 66"h
66" is the average height on an American women.

Chemical healing—the color of pain

A bruise or contusion is simply bleeding under the skin. Its color is caused by the breakdown of hemoglobin (a pigment and protein) from damaged blood cells. At first, oxygen rich blood just under the surface causes skin to appear red. As oxygen leaks from blood, the bruise turns bluish purple. Then hemoglobin changes form—into biliverdin—and gives a green cast to the damaged area. Next, the body's discharge of excess iron from the hemoglobin results in hemosiderin, turning skin brown. In the final stage of healing, biliverdin is broken down into bilibrubin which is yellow in hue. 

This chemical process and recording of past pain, can last 4 to 41 days. Red, blue and purple bruises usually last less than 48 hours. Yellow, brown and green bruises are older than 7 days.

Domestic violence tableau description
Bruise
Slip-away Suitcase
Walking wall
Domestic violence process
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