The Devil You Know, collage series, 2024

In The Devil You Know, Tracy Satchwill examines the archetype of the monstrous, childless woman. In classical tales, such women are cast as destroyers of children—evil, self-serving figures who defy societal expectations of motherhood and nurturing.

Through her collages, Satchwill reimagines these demonic figures, portraying them as embodiments of physically and emotionally abusive women who terrify and devour children. These works reflect the cultural anxiety surrounding women who reject motherhood or fail to conform to traditional roles.

Drawing on her own experiences as a childless woman and her childhood as an outsider in a controlled environment, the artist challenges the stigma and explores the complex interplay between societal roles, identity, and power.