Uprooted from their tomb in the soil, a series of archaeological talismans represent the cradle to grave process, expressing powers in death and regeneration. Inspired by Flax’s symbolism of the afterlife, unearthed considers circular design and how death isn’t an end, but rather a new beginning.
Extracted from the farmland of my local National Trust site, Croome Court, imagery of root systems, seeds, and flowering plants reflect the theme of life cycles. Croome is a significant place to me as this is a spot I go to rejuvenate, like the plant life of this agricultural site. To express this power, my intent is to produce body adornment imbued with rejuvenating powers to promote well-being, using ancient craft techniques to examine how natural materials were used to adorn ourselves. Within this collection, I explore biodegradable and resource efficient design as part of my ethos - waste materials can be re-used to create something new.
Left image: Meditation Necklace (190mm x 220mm). Flax tow dyed using red cabbage, goldenrod and iron, drop spindled and woven using nettle yarn. Beaded with flax stem and seed pods coloured using the aforementioned dyes.
Above image: A series of archaeological inspired body adornment, creating embellishment from flax seed pods, cut stems, and roots. Beads made from recycled waste flax that's been turned into clay. Cordage and passementerie designs formed from drop spindled flax tow and bullrush fibre.
A focus on applied embellishment utilizes the woody stem and seed pods of Flax to create beads, whilst waste Flax is turned into clay to create adornment. Flax tow is drop-spindled to create cordage and passementerie designs, linking embellishments together to symbolize the interconnecting thread of life. The faded colours produced by natural dyes, such as Goldenrod and red cabbage, reflect the faded colours of death to express what once was.
Above image: Flax Bracelet (150mm x 130mm). Goldenrod and iron dyed, drop spindled, flax tow, woven with a nettle warp. Embellished with flax roots and seed pods.
Above, left image: Lace fragment (110mm x140mm). Drop spindled flax tow woven with nettle yarn. Embellished with red cabbage, goldenrod and iron dyed flax seed pods and stem
Above, right image: Budding Rosary (110mm x 170mm). Drop spindled flax tow woven with nettle yarn. Embellished with flax clay beads and red cabbage, goldenrod and iron dyed flax seed pods and roots
Considering the lifecycle of my own artifacts, this project seeks to create adornment that once used, can be returned to the earth. By using eco-friendly mordants, natural dyes, and recycling organic materials, these adornments will be reclaimed by the soil. Once they decay the energy exchanged from this process will go on to feed new life, bringing my artifacts full circle from growth, to death, to revival.
Above image: Fertility Belt (240mm x 280mm). Goldenrod and iron dyed flax tow, drop spindled and woven using nettle yarn. Embellished with flax clay beads and goldenrod and iron dyed flax seed pods, stems, and roots.