Flying Women: Sarah Henley and Sophie Blanchard

Shown as part of the 5 women exhibition I wanted to go on a Space Walk but had nothing to wear, in 2022 at CityScape, North Vancouver

above: Sarah Henley 2022, 28 x 60" Jacquard weaving
left: Sarah Henley II, 2022, 26 x 28" Jacquard weaving
below: Sarah Henley's Fall, 16" animation looped, cell phone, cushion, braid
I have long been intrigued by the true story of Sarah Henley. In 1885, she jumped off the 75 meter Clifton Bridge and survived: with the help of her hooped crinoline skirt that had acted as a parachute

left: Sophie Blanchard Launches Fireworks, 2022, 26 x 48” 
right: Sophie Blanchard Aeronaut III, 2023, 20 x 32
Early air ballooning craze was fascinating with its first women aeronaut, the French Sophie Blanchard (1778-1819), who made over 60 solo flights after the death of her husband and ballooning pioneer Jean-Pierre.
During public displays hosted by Napoleon and later Louis XVIII, she would also launch fireworks as she floated overhead. She designed both her dress and the small 3 foot long and 1 foot high sliver gondola to show off her fragility and her daring.

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