In early 2020 I was delighted to accept an invitation to take part in the 2021 'Levels Spirit' exhibition at Musgrove Park Hospital, Somerset, without any concept of the year that lay ahead. A time where all aspects of life came under close scrutiny and creativity frequently felt indulgent and misplaced, I held firm to my belief that creativity is always life supporting. I worked with textiles in anyway that remotely appealed and encouraged others to do likewise, most particularly as the dark winter months approached. It was with a great sense of relief that I completed my 4 exhibition pieces as a calendar year passed over into a brighter and more hopeful Spring. I feel very privilaged to be included in this evocative exhibition of 15 Somerset Levels artists, skillfully curated by Geoffrey Bertram. It is open to the public in Musgrove's Art for Life Galleries from Thursday 22nd April to Monday 19th July 2021.
The subjects for each of my 4 exhibition pieces reflect aspects of the levels landscape that I and I imagine many others strongly resonate with. All are free machine stitched rayon thread on felted merino wool using a technique that I am continuing to develop. 'Banks at Butleigh' depicts an aspect that has been vital and also troublesome to levels living for centuries; wetlands waterways. Developed in earnest from the 12th century onwards by Glastonbury Abbey, the River Brue was one of key waterways that supported medieval levels life. The deep muddy banks at Butleigh flanked with willow trees leading back to Glastonbury Tor is a one of many watery views that will have changed little over the centuries, something that I find most reassuring and soothing.
Teasel plants instantly conjour up a Somerset Levels landscape, yet their presence is rather more complicated than is often known. Teasels were grown commercially particularly in South Somerset and growers extensively supplied UK textile mills who used in machines to 'full' cloth. 'Dipsacus Sativus' were harvested when still green and it is estimated that an adult cutter would have harvested 10,000 per day. This industry has long since ended and this variety of teasel which was tricky to cultivate has sadly now all but disappeared. My free stitched creation 'Teasels at Bere' is of young Dipsacus Fullonum, a much hardier variety with a taller and wilder seed head which has now become a dominant levels feature.
Long straight levels road have a strong sense of ancient trackways that have travelled throughout the centuries and Nythe Road that joins Pedwell to High Ham is typical of this. With flatlands on view for miles around, native plants such as Hawthorn can be seen in abundance. One of humans oldest tree companions, it is particularly noticeable in May when it erupts into clouds of creamy white blossom; this stunning show can seem like nothing short of a miracle when it has spent a great deal of the winter standing in flood water. While 'Cragaegus Monogya', translated from Greek as 'strength sharp' is also known as the May tree, the seasonal highlight for me is the appearance of red 'haws' in the autumn and winter months. In a period where the daylight hours are reducing at speed, the brilliant red fruits bring a hugely welcome flash of colour to be enjoyed before they are feasted upon by resident birds.
For all that I love colour in nature, it is the dark form of Salix Alba that most quickly evokes a sense of levels homecoming. Also known as 'white willow', it is amusing as the most common winter view of the much loved stumpy willow tree is the complete opposite. They are commonly found in lines along the river and rhyne banks of that criss cross the levels landscape and perform a vital role of holding them firm. Their dark form next to water on a blue sky winters day makes for stunning viewing and this particular bank of 9 trees at Greylake inspired the creation of my last exhibition piece. In a dark winter like no other I have known, their resilience was a most welcome reminder that even the most extreme circumstances can be endured and lived through.
I am immensely grateful that the Levels Spirit exhibition gave me the opportunity and prompt to create new creative textile work at a time where I could have easily faultered. I feel sure that this may be equally true for the other 14 exhibition artists who have offered up a stunning collection of Somerset Levels exhibits. It feels most poignant that the exhibition is taking place at this time in the Art For Life galleries at Musgrove Hospital - art and creativity have been a life saver for me this past year.
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