Signs

Installation, 2009

Signs is an installation composed of corn dollies—some found, some inherited, some crafted by master straw workers, and others woven by my own hand.

Corn dollies are an iconic symbol of rural Britain, traditionally woven as charms to ensure a good harvest, bring luck, or ward off misfortune. But over time, these once-benign objects have taken on an eerie presence, their meanings shifting as they become disconnected from their origins. I have always been fascinated by how traditions evolve—how something once sacred can be dismissed, forgotten, or even feared when pulled from its original context.

For those who worked the land, corn dollies weren’t just decorations; they were talismans—whispers to the old gods, carrying prayers for love, luck, and survival. Yet, time and again, we discard or demonise what we no longer understand. Signs lingers in that space of transition—where reverence turns to fear, where meaning is lost and remade.

Each corn dollie carries its own hidden significance—some were woven for marriage, others for luck, others for fertility. These tiny talismans, painted black, have been stripped of their traditional colour, confronting the erasure of rural customs and the quiet loss of a once-vital language of protection, hope, and identity.

I am deeply honoured that this work was featured in The Guild of Straw Craftsmen magazine, joining a lineage that continues to keep this ancient craft alive. You can learn more about their incredible work here: https://www.strawcraftsmen.co.uk