magic realism

Seed Head

Posted by Charlotte Squire

 

photo credits Nicky Hirst 2022

 Spirit figures in mask & costume evoke a magic realism of an older culture needing to be recalled as the natural world struggles with our careless treatment of it….

over lockdown the garden became a sanctuary to grow plants to eat and become reacquainted with the seasonal evolution of plants in my patch. Cv19 year 1 was a wonderful growing year. In year 2, my small patch of crops was decimated by unseasonal plagues of caterpillars and slugs drawing me to think about superstitions, ancient deities and past ritual practice invoked to protect the seasons cycles.

Performing Green curated by Kim Thornton provided an environment to add a performance strand to my practice that I had not previously considered

Armida’s vexation

Posted by Charlotte Squire

Charlotte Squire creates a sense of wonder and anxiety with her sculptural forms. Her work uses illumination to draw attention to the transformation of mundane materials into something that both engages and unsettles.

This installation was created specially for Dreaming Awake as part of the Dulwich Festival.

Armedia is betrayed by her mortal lover, and uses her powers as a sorceress to keep him prisoner in an enchanted garden.
In Tassos epic poem he is rescued by 2 soldiers but returns to find the distressed Armedia. She loses her power and becomes mortal to stay with him.

Armida’s Vexation part of Dreaming Awake at Safehouse1.