Ghosts of the Commons
Land enclosure acts occurred across England between 1604 and 1914. Public rights of access to common land were removed, walls went up and expansive, enclosed private estates were born. Our open natural spaces, land not up for grabs, was grabbed. Access denied to all but a few. Only 8% of England now remains open to the public. After reading Nick Hayes Book of Trespass, I felt angered and compelled to make my own statement, it took four months to finish and stands at 58cm tall.
Brambles are a nostalgic symbol of sustenance and inclusive access but they are also a threatening symbol of exclusion; a barbed physical barrier.
Ivy symbolises idealised England, the historic country house dream. In reality, it’s just a sprawling, invasive pest.
The adult parent Cuckoo lays it’s eggs in the nests of others. It’s chick is then born a murderous land grabber and the entitled cycle continues.
Blue speaks of conservative values of the upper classes while red carries the calls of ordinary common folk. Gold however whispers magic. It is treasure, luxury and radiance and... a natural resource owned by no one, until a few laid claim to it all.
Hand painted signs from a bygone era arrogantly and enticingly threaten passers by. The contents are clearly not intended for you, we are not welcome, we are not enough. But pops of scribbled graffiti, a broken lock and a forced lid suggest that some commoners have decided otherwise.
We are the commoners, we are the curious, the adventurous, the starved, the bored, the ravers, the righteous and the restless…
And ghosts of commons past unite below the surface, rich in delicious dialects, once spoken freely on their land.
