Melangell
Paper clay, fabric (velvet and repurposed lace). Repurposed raw silk thread hair. Melangell was an Irish princess from the 7th or 8th century who left her home and crossed the sea to Wales, fleeing an arranged marriage. She sought refuge in a remote forest. There she was discovered by Prince of Powys during a hunt. The frightened hare that he hunted sought refuge under her skirts. The prince interpreted this as her supernatural ability to commune with the forest creatures. The prince granted Melangel the valley to call her home; a place of refuge where she would later establish an Abby of sanctuary.
Reading the Mellangel myths, I felt that the hares who hide in her skirts might represent the secrets or wisdom only accessible to those with the patience to listen and learn from nature. Time, captivity and freedom all play a role in Melangell’s world. She embodies the idea of seeing beyond the surface, beyond what others can see, and understanding the rhythms of life, time and nature on a deeper level. She represents solitude, always aware and ready to learn from the spiritual insight obtained by deep introspection.
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