Glastonbury Abbey
In 2017 Glastonbury Abbey invited three artists to create an exhibition in their gallery space. The other two artists worked in ceramics and mosaic, and with my textiles, we complemented and set off each other. We took our inspiration from the Abbey itself and from the many artefacts that were found in their magnificent ruins.
Glastonbury Abbey was founded in the 7th century, enlarged in the 10th, destroyed by a major fire in 1184, and rebuilt afterwards. In the 14th century it was one of the richest and most powerful abbeys in England. Sections of it were reduced to rubble during the destruction of the monasteries by King Henry VIII, but large sections remained upright.
From the 12th century it has been associated with the legend of King Arthur, an idea promoted by the monks who stated that Glastonbury was Avalon, and claimed to have found the grave of Arthur and Guinevere in the Abbey grounds. Other legends claim the abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea.
Whatever the truth, the influx of pilgrims helped raise funds to rebuild the abbey after the fire. Large numbers of people have continued to visit and admire it since then. The ruins, set in large beautiful grounds, have been studied by archaeologists and are well maintained.
From the 12th century it has been associated with the legend of King Arthur, an idea promoted by the monks who stated that Glastonbury was Avalon, and claimed to have found the grave of Arthur and Guinevere in the Abbey grounds. Other legends claim the abbey was founded by Joseph of Arimathea.
Whatever the truth, the influx of pilgrims helped raise funds to rebuild the abbey after the fire. Large numbers of people have continued to visit and admire it since then. The ruins, set in large beautiful grounds, have been studied by archaeologists and are well maintained.
King Arthur's Cross
Two interpretations in cloth of a leaden cross purportedly found in the tomb of King Arthur, discovered in Glastonbury Abbey grounds by the monks in 1191. Now lost. The Latin inscription says: Here lies buried the renowned King Arthur in the Isle of Avalon.
Each 20cm by 50cm, mounted on stretched canvas frame.
Richard and Saladin
An interpretation of a medieval border tile bearing images of Richard the Lionheart fighting Saladin, Sultan of Egypt and Syria, during the Third Crusade. History tells us that Richard and Saladin never actually met in person.
20cm by 50cm, mounted on stretched canvas frame.
Entwined Wyverns
Wyverns are legendary creatures with a dragon’s head and wings, reptilian body, two legs and a tail. Heraldic wyverns and dragons were sometimes carried into battle and this type of representation may have been carried at Crécy in 1346.
20cm by 50cm, mounted on stretched canvas frame.
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Medieval Tiles
Many medieval tiles have been found in archaeological excavations that have taken place in the Abbey grounds. This selection depicts some of them, interpreted in fabric.
Each 15cm by 15cm, mounted on stretched canvas frame.
The Abbot's Kitchen Cauldrons
The building of the Abbot’s Kitchen stands alone on the grounds of the Abbey, separate form the monks’ kitchen. Cauldrons hang in front of a large fireplace. The size of the kitchen and the cooking utensils reveal that the abbot and his guests ate extremely well.
30cm by 30cm, mounted on stretched canvas frame.
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