2017

My journal quilts this year are based on the Dryden translation of Virgil's Georgics, a poem about agriculture, animal husbandry and beekeeping, together with many references to mythology and patriotism, lauding Augustus.

I chose this theme as I will be exhibiting in several group shows next year and rather than making disparate pieces, all the hangings will eventually make one large and coherent body of work.  I have also been inspired by the agricultural landscapes of Northern France, where I spend a lot of time, and where Virgil's poetry comes to life, showing the connections over millennia.  In fact, much of his advice to farmers and beekeepers still holds good today.

The first set of four pieces comes from Book 1, where Virgil describes an oncoming storm.  Cows, frogs, ants, cranes and rooks all react to the impending changes.

My second set of quilts were inspired by the descriptions of farming, viniculture and beekeeping, even where the latter refers to their king and trading citizens!  Clicking on each image will show the couplet that inspired the piece

Sadly, I ran out of time to make the last set of quilts as I was working to deadlines finishing work for two exhibitions.  Hopefully I'll do better next year