Digitalis [permanent exhibition in Shropshire]

Digitalis is the culmination of a residency in Wellington, Shropshire which closely explored the local history of Sir William Withering, 18th Century botanist and physician, the foxglove and the landscape of the Wrekin. Withering's discovery of the (still in use) drug Digoxin originated from an encounter with a gypsy herbalist he found selling cures at the foot of the Wrekin, a local landmark and beauty spot. Layzell's residency in Wellington evolved, following an extended period of research, into a performative quest to re-enact this encounter and find the source of these foxgloves. Having spent two days living and walking on the Wrekin, Layzell eventually found a single plantation of foxgloves close to the summit of the hill. Layzell then 'lived' with these foxgloves for a further two days and carefully documented his experiences through photography, video, text and drawings. These formed the basis of the permanent photographic exhibition at Wellington Library and series of postcards.