Ellie Anderson - BA (Hons) Textiles In Practice
Down a Corpse Path
I investigate the folk history, customs, and stories of the British Isles, through the lens of an outsider. I was born and raised in the suburbs of London; folklore and calendar customs were not a part of my day-to-day life and upbringing. I am not alone in this fascination, with research showing that more and more city dwellers are leaving urban areas to regain a connection with the land. I consider how contemporary pilgrimage strengthens my understanding and relationship with the folklore and history embedded in the British rural landscape.
My practice adopts a process led approach, working through multiple iterations to make primarily print based outcomes. The expansive world of print fascinates me because of the way it combines traditional craftsmanship with artistry and has continued to thrive and evolve in a digital age.
My sculptural artefacts and publication work document a series of visits to Pendle Hill, having been drawn to the folk history of the Pendle Witches. This repeated ritual of revisiting and walking here shifted my perception of the location, viewing it in different conditions each time. By researching the folklore surrounding Pendle, I developed a greater and more significant sensory connection with the land, intertwining my own experiences with those that came before mine.
