Retraced

The last time I visited Durham, my place of birth, home of my family, it was like an intense historical research trip. I always visit the Cathedral and walk the river banks but this time I also went to Lindasfarne and visited the Holy Island and became for a short time mildly obsessed by the Lindasfarne Gospels, the beautiful illuminated texts. I read all I could find about St Cuthbert, St Bede, St Aiden, trying to piece it all together, the pouring of Christianity into the country through Northumberland, my region a centre of Christian teachings, these strange and beautiful mythical creatures that leap from the pages. A history of Anglo Saxons, Viking raids, the dark dark medieval days that seem so cruel and frightening to me. And something in it was like piecing together aspects of myself, my place, my family, my relationship, my ancestors. I am from this place. I resonate with these stones. And the Farne Islands, stronghold of sea birds and seals contains the type remoteness that I often find myself yearning.

One of the things that struck me with Lindasfarne was the absense of the Lindasfarne Gospels. An interactive display did not convey enough….

So can you imagine my excitement when I was told that during my next visit home the Lindasfarne Gospels would also be visiting Durham. On loan from the British Library. In my day dreams I had imagined how great it would be to trace the wanderings of St Cuthberts bones, to walk from Lindasfarne to Durham….how wonderful then to stumble across an exhibition and find that two people did just that! (well something similiar at least)

Retraced, St Cuthberts Final Journey is an exhibition documenting the journey of photographer Paul Alexander Knox and writer Richard W Hardwick as they retraced the journey of the monks who wandered for years carrying St Cuthberts bones. In six days they visited forty seven places where the monks were known to have taken refuge on their epic journey. It was a beautifully presented exhibition, Paul`s photograph set aside text convey an unusual stark beauty in the landscape. You can read more about their journey here:

http://stcuthbertsfinaljourney.com/about/

I still imagine walking this slowly taking in the landscape, following those footsteps, tracing this journey…maybe during my next visit…

And this all builds up to my visit to see the Lindasfarne Gospels on Thursday…

Stories of the Great Turning

I contributed an image to this recently published book, Stories of the Great Turning, a book which celebrates the work of Joanna Macy by telling the stories of people making changes to bring about a more harmonious environmental future. There are stories of community initiatives, of personal transformation, of dreams made real, of gardens that grow from imagination…

I live with hope that my children grow up in a world that honours and respects nature. I hope that humanity is able to shift to a more earth concious and sustainable way of life. On a personal level I try to live conciously, in consideration and with appreciation for the natural world. I love being outside, I love to feel the wind, the rain, connect with the elements. I love trees and creatures and leaves. I am constantly awed and inspired by nature. I try to always live in wonder and in love with life.

I was very happy to contibute a picture to this book because I realise that in my story this is what I can do. I make pictures that reflect my experiences and responses to my natural environment. I create and I want to particiapte in a movement towards a harmonious future.

I am still reading the book, check it out here, get inspired!