Tudor Prison Embroidery

I enjoyed reading about Mary, Queen of Scots' prison embroideries recently. They're full of symbolism - hidden and not so hidden meaning. The pieces made at Oxburgh Hall, where Mary was kept captive for the greatest period of time, are some of her most famous. There are many examples from this period - Mary was even joined by one of her jailers, the aristocrat Bess of Hardwick, herself an accomplished embroiderer. Subjects range from allegories of Mary's situation to everyday animals found in Tudor Britain - cats, dogs, honey bees - and more fantastical creatures such as unicorns and dragons. 

A mouse's tail here is held by a ginger cat - an allegory for Queen Mary and her red haired cousin Elizabeth.

Unicorn

Beehive 

Marigolds (Mary's gold) wilting in the harsh sun

It's inspired me to look at talismans and lucky charms to embroider - symbols we like to keep near during times of need...

Lockdown Polaroid 4

21/4/2020

Olympic Park, Stratford

My work has been very inspired by the colour and vibrancy of recent travel - pictured here are Latvian flowers in the central market. Managed to smuggle some back in our suitcases...

Latvian Road Trip

A couple of weekends my friend and I set off to Latvia for a couple of days.

We rented a car and drove through miles and miles of Latvian forest, stopping at a sparkling lake for lunch we'd bought in the market

Autumn camouflage, Bow

teamLab

Beautiful and immersive projections by Japanese collective teamLab at Pace Gallery, London recently. Entry is timed and each group granted access is designated 20 minutes only - it's worth it for a burst of uplifting colour and movement.

See more here

Cold Toes

Liverpool last week, and Min's late October Beachwear.