Queen Mab

Original ink on cartridge paper. This drawing is inspired by the mythical fairy Queen, Mab. In Arthurian legend, Queen Mab is the creator or Merlin and is often portrayed as a midwife of the fairies, responsible for bringing dreams to sleeping humans. I loved using swirling, druid-like patterns in my representation of her, and exploring her identity in this artwork.’ Ruby Bateman is a visual artist working from her home studio in the South West Countryside. Using a richly colourful and symbolic visual language, Ruby interweaves classical, gothic and esoteric elements into the creation of her paintings and drawings. She often tells stories about the human experience of love and loss, institutionalised motherhood and dualism; the ego's (dis)association with nature. Through origin-fiction writing, paint and ink, Ruby is able to transform these themes into allegorical images, connecting her to a deeper material consciousness. Calligraphy ink, watercolour paper, 300gsmH 30.5 x L 25.4 cm