'The Green Man' is most commonly represented as a face surrounded by leaves, or with vegetation sprouting from the nose, mouth and head. Sometimes the face is composed entirely from leaves and foliage. Green Men are used as decorative architectural features, usually representing fertility and the regenerative cycle of the seasons.

I am interested in reinterpreting ‘The Green Man’ as symbol of the city of Stoke-on-Trent at this point in time; a motif that not only represents a sense of regeneration and renewal but one that could also be used to bring about changes, by highlighting what is effectively public artwork that already exists.

Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Blog title artwork

The artwork featured in the title of this blog is a still shot from an animation I am still working on. The animation is a representation of my favorite Green Man in the city, that can be seen on the Jackson's building, Church Street, Stoke.

The image has been created using elements of wallpaper patterns which I collect from around the city (renovation projects, demolition sites, house clearances etc) Many of these wallpapers were collected from 2005 onwards and have been kept in storage waiting to be used. I couldn't believe how well some of the patterns represented the architectural elements of this panel- especially the green bouquet which forms the Green Man's leafy head and the crescent shaped scrolls.

This notion of things 'slotting into place' is becoming a common occurrence within this project, adding to a sense of mystery and discovery that I have felt from the start- I like to think that the Green man is 'on my side' and that we have entered into some kind of visual dialogue. I can't wait to find out what other suprises are in store.

1 comment:

  1. This is really interest - looking forward to developments, xx

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