Making and Breaking a Narrative continued:
Following my initial composition of a single Magpie, I created a background/scene for him to sit in:
Edward Cawood – ‘One for Sorrow (in Autumn)’ – watercolour and mixed media (card, paper and cardboard) – 40cm x 21.5cm -2020
Each element of the collage holds different meanings:
Tree detail (left-side of original)
The tree and leaves are based on the Celtic and Pagan symbol of the ‘Tree of Life’, but as the tree is losing it’s leaves this presents the idea of death. However, this death is only semi-permanent, as the tree will grow it’s leaves – drawing on the cyclicality of nature and time.
Gibbet detail (right-side of original)
The gibbet (a hanging post) on top of the hill also looks at the idea of death, and the associated with the Magpie and crimes, such as theft. The gibbet is also based on the idea of Christ’s cross of crucifixion – in some stories, the Magpie did not wear black or mourn at Christ’s death.
Hill detail (right-bottom of original)
The hill and landscape on which the Magpie stands is a representation of the hills of rural England. This draws on the first few lines of William Blake’s Jerusalem:
“And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountain green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?”
However, instead of Christ’s feet on England’s hills, it is the Magpie – a symbol of the devil
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