"Bury the Rest", 2022, Hand embroidery on scrap canvas, 25cmx25cm

The sister piece to "Burn it all", the act of burying cursed items or remains of wayward spirits was common throughout Britain. These items were put into jars buried under trees that grew next to river banks. The belief was that the power of the trees and the rushing water could keep the curse or spirits at bay, so long as they were held by nature. 

“Burn it all…” ,2022, Hand embroidery on scrap canvas, 25cmx25cm

This piece explores the practice of ritual fires and community hearths. Our most ancient ritual ceremonies end with a fire that wards off  dark spirits, illness and curses. In Wales it is common to have huge bonfires on the Ysbrydnos' (spirit nights). These were the times of the year when the walls to the other world (Annwn) were the thinnest and much of the future could be divined. These community practices tied our ancestors to the land, the seasons and each other