Bitter Fruit Weir is interested in the contrast between the depiction of black people through historical objects i.e. often negative and belittling and the seemingly idyllic, positive representation of white people (black boy polishes a boot, white woman picks fruit) The title ‘Bitter Fruit’ eludes to Billie Holiday’s song ‘Strange Fruit’, in particular the last line: ‘Here is a strange and bitter crop’. Together with the title, the headscarf around the figures neck and her connection to the tree could be suggestive of lynching(s) The figure’s arm disappearing or becoming part of the tree evokes the image and Greek myth of Apollo and Daphne; Apollo attempting to become one with Daphne, chases her, she escapes, and through a plea to her father is turned in to a tree, her arms becoming branches. I had in mind the painting in the National Gallery, ‘Apollo and Daphne’ by Antonio Pollaiuolo.