Return to Pitt Rivers

My first visit to Pitt Rivers last year left me totally in awe of this incredible collection of weird and wonderful objects from every corner of the globe. The moment I left I wanted to return and spend some more precious moments in the presence of these amazing things steeped in history, culture and meaning. So I made the decision to return to Oxford, this time for a little longer than my previous flying visit and take a little more time to indulge my interests at Pitt Rivers.

My specific purpose of this visit was to focus on the incredible collection of objects related to magic, witchcraft and ritual practices from a range of cultures. The fascinating pieces range from ex voto, wax effigies, mandrake roots, witches ladders and poppets to skulls, masks, charms, talisman and everything in between. Some are familiar even today, such as evil eye talisman, wands and the original ancestor of the ‘voodoo doll’; the poppet.

One famed object from within the collection is the Witch unwittingly captured in a rather beautifully delicate bottle, which is both fascinating and mysterious in equal measure. The witch trapped in the bottle is a fantastic example of how the folklore surrounding the objects at Pitt Rivers is just as exciting and interesting as the physical object itself.

One rather unassuming object ended up being the artifact of the day after the wonderfully enthusiastic and knowledgeable museum worker Mike told me it’s fascinating history. The bone wand of the enigmatically named ‘Devil Doctor’ (in reality a shaman/healer called Kootay) which was said to work magic with the aid of his mouse. He gave the wand to a Christian missionary, a reverend on a mission to convert the indigenous savages (oh what a familiar story!) to see how his wand behaved in the hands of another holy man. Little did he know that the delightful Reverend shipped the wand off to England never to be seen by Kootay again.

It’s truly fascinating to think that stories such as this could surround many, if not all of these objects. They’ve all come from somewhere, been precious to someone. A treasured item, part of a way of life and connected to so many long lost traditions and forgotten cultural heritages. Hearing such a story made me wonder how many similar tales have been lost forever meaning the object is now a mystery, stripped of its context and life.

So many of the objects have clearly been delicately and loving created, showing their importance in the culture from which they emerged. One example is the beautiful Italian silver charms. Their fascinating details and themes clearly had important meaning, with trees growing moons, stars and keys. These symbols recur within many designs and clearly had widely held meaning and importance connected to popular beliefs at this time.

The original ritualistic nature of these items is best reflected in objects such as sheep and bulls hearts repeatedly pierced with nails, tacks and the like. They represent a poorly understood practice of sympathetic magic which has ancient roots in English folklore. What these people hoped to achieve with these practices we can largely only guess at and assume the desired outcome. In reality, magic is such a personal thing with so many unique practices there will so often be an element of doubt and mystery surrounding magic, which is something that I think makes it so appealing and compelling today.

There is so little real magic and mystery left in the world today it’s a wonderful indulgence to just immerse yourself in these objects and wonder what was long, long ago ...

To plan your visit to the ever glorious Pitt Rivers Museum check out their website https://www.prm.ox.ac.uk/

'The Witches Craft'

My brand new series 'The Witches Craft' celebrates the tools used by witches and warlocks to carry out their ancient practices and rituals. Steeped in history and tradition these devices are an essential part of modern and ancient witchcraft, each with its own unique symbolism and purpose entwined deep within British Folklore.

British Witchcraft is something which I have a deep rooted interest in and feel is an essential, and often ignored, part of British History and identity. Through this series I have aimed to touch on just some of the iconic images of our Folklore, featuring essential tools, symbols and poisonous plants all connecting to the occult and both modern and ancient witchcraft.

Each piece in the series is now available as a limited edition A4 print. To purchase a set or individual prints please click here.

Feathered Fiends - Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum was a place I had visited many years ago, and always been eager to return. Finally I had my chance and hoped that this time I'd find the time to see it all.
The stunning Victorian building which houses what I imagine to be the country's largest collection of natural specimens is a breathtaking statement on its own. A temple to science and nature the architecture and it's fine details tell of a time when folks had the most inquisitive of minds and yearned to know everything about anything.

The exhibits obviously reflect this too, with a vast array of specimens at every turn looking at subjects from the evolution of man, to insect behaviour to extinct animals, and everything in between.

One area which I seem to have missed during my first fleeting visit but certainly made up for this time featured some of my favourite animals; birds. Taxidermy specimens of a vast array of birds sit in a huge glass cabinet, faded with time and slightly surreal looking. A case opposite was absolutely packed with Hummingbirds, feverishly covering branches with countless tiny forms. So many different colours, beak shapes, special adaptations, sizes, a truly overwhelming presentation of Victorian excess. But my favourite display was a rather neglected looking cabinet, with sloping sides and a wood surround. It's hand written labels and ancient aesthetics instantly gave it away as something that had been in the museum a long time, and probably never touched. The contents of the cabinet examined in detail the different physical traits of birds, different types of beaks, how wings are formed and work, the claws of so many species, no stone was left unturned. And for me, this incredible display was a glimpse into the mind of a passionate, inquisitive Victorian scientist, a textbook attempting to understand and grasp the secrets of nature come to life and in 3D.

As fellow visitors observed the case many were heard to say how repulsive and awful they thought the display was. Yet I felt it was thoroughly fascinating, an important insight into our early understanding and observation of nature. I shamefully admit I have never stopped to consider how many different styles of beak there are and how each of these has so carefully evolved and adapted to each environment. Of course it's something most people with an inquisitive mind will be aware of, or even know a few obvious examples, but having a huge number of specimens demonstrating this laid out before you is something quite different.

The display made me consider birds in a different light, in terms of their evolution and scientific intrigue, and I admit as someone with an artistic mind this is not my usual angle of perspective. So it was both interesting and enlightening to view nature in this new perspective not only concerned with natural beauty.

Unfortunately I still didn't make it round quite all of the museum, it is truly vast and contains so much knowledge. Though I am pleased to have seen the fantastic bird specimens of the Natural History Museum and many other fascinating exhibits within the museum.

Viktor Wynd's Museum of Curiosities

Ever since reading about Viktor Wynds Museum of Curiosities I have been eager to pay a visit to this fascinatingly fantastical place. Finally a trip to London to soak up some culture and indulge in some Heavy Metal provided the opportunity to pay the museum a visit for myself. I thought had a fair idea of what to expect, having read articles, seen some photos and been given the Viktor Wynd Cabinet of Wonders book for Christmas. But nothing could prepare me for the reality of this treasury of the beautifully bizarre tucked away in East London.

The striking monochrome exterior instantly stands out amongst the kebab shops and pubs of South Hackney. With windows hazed with the fog of condensation the curiosity of what waits within is only increased. The atmosphere inside is bustling and electric. The bar is jammed with people and the chatter and excitement that comes with it. A party was being held in the back room, and the front was equally bustling, but with a little vigilance and patience a seat became available to rest my weary leg and indulge in a little tipple.

The upstairs is a taster for the senses, with exhibits dotted around to intrigue the inquisitive as you sip on your choice of refreshments. A goats hoof and candle sticks crafted from some hairy mammal sat behind us next to a wooden carving of a horned man, Pan, Satan, a Satyr, possibly even Puck. Exotic fish swim nearby in a tropical tank and I resist the temptation to interrupt a couples quiet drink to ask to see the Kapala Skull behind them.

Descending down from the land of skeleton specimens hanging from the ceiling and cocktail shakers rattling like teeth on a fair ride you enter the inner sanctum of strange. Immediately you are greeted by a whole host of weird wonders to observe. A creature which reminds me of the Fiji Mermaid, taxidermy Squirrels playing cards, an enormous bosomed golden mannequin, Viktor's famous sequinned suit, skeletal birds ridden by butterflies, ants and a whole host of creatures. The eclectic collection of strange specimens, books and objects leaves you in an overwhelmed frenzy wondering where to put your eyes next.

As you wander around the narrow maze of cabinets full of mysterious artefacts and bizarre memorabilia there's a mass of strange things to suit every penchant. Pornography, taxidermy, puppets, masks, bizarre books, sculptures, skulls, medical dioramas, prints, shells, shrunken heads. The list is endless. But there's certainly no shortage of surreal and strange sights to soak up during a visit.

It quite quickly became apparent to me that what others around me seemed to be perceiving as random, chaotic placement of items I was often finding quite logical, and now and then spied a witty pun or comment hiding behind the collection of items. My particular favourite was the plastic phallus beside a book called 'The glands of destiny' and some neatly placed perfectly white eggs. Certainly raised a smile. It was an incredibly intriguing thought that through all these items Viktor is making comments,statements, or simply expressing thoughts, some clearly more obvious than others, and I got the feeling that even with a lifetime to decipher it all you wouldn't even come close.

After a while lurking around the cases and gazing in wonder, grabbing my camera and snapping some more every time I spotted something which 'spoke to me' in a particular way I suddenly realised that the majority of people around me were reacting quite differently. Most seemed to gawk in horror, or feel the need to announce to the world what they did and didn't like, or what they found repulsive or horrid. While I hovered around silently soaking it all up like a gleeful sponge. In that moment I remembered a French phrase I'd had somebody impart on me many years ago 'C'est Marginale.'. For a long time I've known I fall into the strange, dark category of 'C'est Marginale', and quite clearly Viktor Wynd does, but I began to get the feeling a lot of these people probably didn't, and the view into the mind of someone a little 'different' by their standards was really unsettling them. An odd thing to bear witness to, and honestly, often quite amusing.

I enjoyed seeing the incredible, eclectic collection of Viktor Wynd as much as I had hoped, and probably far more. I got a real sense that, like at the Pitt Rivers Museum I was seeing a snapshot of countless different cultures and customs. With the incredible, exotic death rituals of distant lands, wonders of the natural world, and importantly; wonders of peoples mind and creativity the Museum is a non-stop feast for the senses. All given an incredibly personal feeling by the fact that this is Viktor's collection and his ultimate expression of himself. As a fellow collector and if were being unkind; obsessive hoarder, I feel I understand and relate to the fascinating assembly of items which Viktor has amassed, a goal which I can only dream of one day achieving for myself.

A truly inspirational, awe-inspiring experience for anyone falling into the category of 'C'est Marginale'. Considering a voyage into the weird world of Wynd? Visit the website to find out more ... http://www.thelasttuesdaysociety.org/museum-curiosities/#.WmOryXnLjIU