Duir, 2017
Duir is a collection of black and white photographs that explore tree mythology. Of all the tree’s in Britain, none of them are quite as large as the Oak tree. The Oak tree is valued hugely both physically and spiritually. They have been linked with the Druids, Romans and Greeks, with the Oak being synonymous with their highest Gods. The tree became the centre of the temple and priests would divine the Gods’ assertions and judgements through 'phyllomancy', the rustling of the leaves.
The term ‘Druid’ refers to a pre-Christian religious group of the Celtic people from Gaul Ireland and Britain who lived during the Iron Age. The name ‘Druid’ itself stems from the Irish word ‘Dar’ meaning ‘Oak’, combined with the Indo-European root ‘Wid’ meaning ‘those who know the Oak’. The Druids of Gaul performed all their religious ceremonies in Oak tree groves throughout continental Europe. In Ireland, there was also evidence to suggest that Druids worshipped the Oak trees. With the religious and mythological history of the Oak there are many symbolic meanings associated with these great trees. While of course a symbol of strength Oaks are also known as ‘Trees of Life’, whose roots penetrated the underworld and branches reached the heavens. The ancient Sanskrit word ‘Duir’ gave rise to the words both ‘Oak’ and ‘Door’ which suggests that the Oak serves as an opening to greater wisdom or entry into a spiritual realm.
The photographs were taken at Sherwood Forest, a place of great historic significance and home to the 'Major Oak'. Photographing these trees at night with a flash illuminated the Oak trees, bringing light to a new way of visually representing the Oaks.
This work was exhibited in a group student show called No Method in 2017 at Backlit Gallery in Nottingham.