Cookham Dig

In August 2024 I had the honour of being a guest artist at Cookham Dig. Here they are unearthing the remains of an exceptionally rare and well-preserved Anglo-Saxon royal monastery, that has been hidden for over 1000 years. I worked with Phyllida Shelley who has been Artist in residence since 2022 and five other creatives to build collaborations, share conversations, networking and imaginative explorations where we will create a piece of work in response. I drew inspirations from the different coloured soils, 1200 year old coins and loom tools of bone pin beater, cloth pins and a loom weight.

Highlights were listening to the other creatives talk about their practices and responses, spending over an hour drawing and watching the live dig, slow processes, seeing all the different teams working together and being a part of a community.

Thank you to Phyllida Shelley, Arts Council England, Friends of Cookham Abbey and University of Reading.

Loom weight made out of volcanic rock

embroidery/fine clothing pins, found in the mill pictured on the right

Bone Pin Beater used for pushing down the weft

example of a weight loom

Metal detectors go over the soil