14th Pollux Awards, Honorable Mention
2016 Moscow International Foto Awards, Honourable Mention
LensCulture Earth Awards 2015: Editor's Selection
“The images hold a unique space in photography” Lens Culture
Numinous: of, about, or like numen – divine power or spirit: a deity especially one presiding locally or believed to inhabit a particular thing or place.
Wells have long been regarded as sacred - as a prime source of the waters of life and survival, and there remains a firm belief that wishing at wells can magically transform events. In folklore, a strip of cloth or ‘cloutie’ is torn from a person’s garment, dipped into a holy well then hung on a nearby tree. As it falls and rots, it is believed the illness will disappear. The cloths are said to connect to the divine power or spirits thought to inhabit the sacred place. Unfortunately, some people leave cloths made of fabrics that will not biodegrade, and the offerings are consequently removed.
‘Numinous’ is inspired by the imagined wishes and stories embodied in the cloths and the role played by the forces of nature in traditional healing rituals. I have re-animated these discarded cloths using natural forces in keeping with the folk magic, symbolised by the four elements of air, earth, fire, and water. The photographs keep open to scrutiny instants, which the normal flow of time immediately replaces. Celestial and human forms appear to be revealed, suggesting that these are entities inhabiting the offerings.
Project commissioned by Forty Hall & Estate, London Borough of Enfield, supported by Heritage Lottery Fund and Metro Imaging. Numinous was on show at Forty Hall from 8 April - 22 July 2015.
With thanks to the Cornish Ancient Sites Protection Network (CASPN), a charitable partnership formed to look after the ancient sites and monuments of Cornwall. CASPN works in close collaboration with local communities and official organisations to protect and promote our ancient heritage landscape through research, education and outreach activities.
Reviews
Sara Hannant's Numinous Show!: Phantasmaphile
Clouties Transformed in Photograph: A Bad Witch's Blog
