Frances Green

 

 

Away from my day-job, I enjoy a number of creative activities.  These include poetry writing and exploring different art media.  Textile art is a more recent interest as I have begun to anchor my ideas in bold line, pattern and collage.   My aim, at this stage in life, is to move more gradually – but definitely – towards a more artistic career.  Another great love for me has always been social history – particularly Early Modern social history at the level of village life (including allegations of witchcraft). An understanding of ‘history from below’ is fascinating and intriguing, and I enjoy the repeated discovery that, for all our 21st century technological sophistication, our basic psychologies, fears, hopes and motivations remain very similar to those of our forebears across the centuries.

I first saw the flyer for Threads of Time on a wet dark winter day while waiting to return books at Hertford Library.  The opportunity to combine a number of interests in one creative project and work alongside other artists was immediately appealing.  From our first meeting, it has been a really warm and friendly, inspiring and rewarding project.  I was immediately captivated by the extent of the archives available and particularly by the story of Ruth Osborne and Thomas Colley because of my existing interest in the background to witchcraft allegations.  The chance to read and review the original 18th century documents from Thomas Colley’s trial was just too good to let pass!  I enjoy a good narrative story and this gave me a super opportunity to put my stumpwork* embroidery skills to good use!  The title for the work ‘Instruments of Darkness’ is a line from Macbeth (and I am not the first to apply it to considerations of witchcraft…. It works very well to imply the complex motivations and interests which lie behind many of our actions).

*Also known as raised embroidery, it was popular in the 17th century, and is worked largely as detached stitches mounted over padded forms to give the 3-dimensional effect.. It has a playful, sometimes haphazard and fantastical, quality and so seemed exactly right for my chosen theme!

 About my piece 

‘The history of witchcraft is … so largely the history of human actions that, it may be, transformations, flying broomsticks, even the prince of darkness himself should be regarded as decorative embroidery of the fabric of behaviour.’ Carnochan, W. B., 1971

On 22nd April 1751 Ruth Osborne, having allegedly cursed cattle of John Butterfield, farmer /publican, following his refusal to spare milk, was ducked by Thomas Colley.  By 1751, witchcraft was not a crime; Colley was convicted for murder by Thomas Wittewronge (Sheriff of Hertfordshire).  Records do not reveal truths, only influences, suppositions, superstitions –  intriguing and worth portraying.  Stumpwork embroidery’s narrative approach and three-dimensional exaggerated form is the chosen medium.