Dazzle - Giclée Print

This is an original composition featuring leaves arranged in the shape of a zebra. It was inspired by the use of the zebra as a symbol to represent rare conditions such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition, which I suffer from, that causes the body to produce faulty connective tissue. There are thirteen types of EDS, each affecting the body in slightly different ways, however chronic pain and fatigue are common in all EDS types.

In medical school, students are often told “When you hear hoofbeats behind you, don’t expect to see a zebra.” This is intended to emphasise the message that they should look for the most common or obvious cause of a patients symptoms. This mentality has led to countless patients with rare conditions waiting years or even decades for a diagnosis. The use of the zebra as the symbol for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome highlights this struggle and also recognises that no two people with EDS have the exactly the same symptoms, just as no two zebras have exactly the same stripes. A group of zebras is known as a dazzle, hence the title of this piece.

This piece is featured on the cover of the FLORA/FAUNA collection of nature poetry and photography edited by Pete Taylor.

312gsm Fine Art Baryta paper is used to create this unframed open edition Giclée print. Available in A4 or A3 size.