'Waste'Lands (2022), digitally edited photographs.
‘On one side he sees fertility: on the other barrenness. On this hand farms and villages that speak of the labours of man; on that a wide waste which shows few signs of his intrusion. Yet it is the latter which the more forcibly attracts him, though he cannot explain why this is so… Nothing but great undulating sweeps of heathy land, and granite tors of fantastic shape. Yet he is impelled onward, possessed with a feeling that this lone region hides within itself much that will delight him. Already in imagination he lives in a long past day, for there is nothing to remind him of the present.’ Crossing, W (1905), Gems in a Granite Setting
Crossing talks of the vast, desolate landscape of Dartmoor in his guidebooks dating from 1905, but the perception of the moorland hasn’t changed much since. ‘Waste’ is a dialect term used to describe Dartmoor’s desolate landscape, further feeding into this impression of a lifeless landscape. The exploration of Dartmoor as described above steps into an unknown, other-worldly place, the hiker captivated by this alien environment so close to home. This subconscious attraction to a space seemingly ‘desolate’ and untouched by man is akin to the wonder and excitement associated with trips to the moon. But our ‘waste’ lands are far from desolate; the moors teem with life and energy. While exploring these vast landscapes you’re often the only human in sight, but you’re constantly surrounded by the nonhuman habitants of the moor - whether you notice them or not. Next time you’re walking through a ‘waste’ land – whether it be moorland or in the city, take time to notice the life living there.
Crossing, W (1905). Gems in a Granite Setting. England, Halsgrove.
‘On one side he sees fertility: on the other barrenness. On this hand farms and villages that speak of the labours of man; on that a wide waste which shows few signs of his intrusion. Yet it is the latter which the more forcibly attracts him, though he cannot explain why this is so… Nothing but great undulating sweeps of heathy land, and granite tors of fantastic shape. Yet he is impelled onward, possessed with a feeling that this lone region hides within itself much that will delight him. Already in imagination he lives in a long past day, for there is nothing to remind him of the present.’ Crossing, W (1905), Gems in a Granite Setting
Crossing talks of the vast, desolate landscape of Dartmoor in his guidebooks dating from 1905, but the perception of the moorland hasn’t changed much since. ‘Waste’ is a dialect term used to describe Dartmoor’s desolate landscape, further feeding into this impression of a lifeless landscape. The exploration of Dartmoor as described above steps into an unknown, other-worldly place, the hiker captivated by this alien environment so close to home. This subconscious attraction to a space seemingly ‘desolate’ and untouched by man is akin to the wonder and excitement associated with trips to the moon. But our ‘waste’ lands are far from desolate; the moors teem with life and energy. While exploring these vast landscapes you’re often the only human in sight, but you’re constantly surrounded by the nonhuman habitants of the moor - whether you notice them or not. Next time you’re walking through a ‘waste’ land – whether it be moorland or in the city, take time to notice the life living there.
Crossing, W (1905). Gems in a Granite Setting. England, Halsgrove.
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Sharp (2021), ‘Easy Carve’ lino prints, 10 × 15 cm each.
A series of linocuts carved from boulders that are notorious for their sharpness when climbing them. The ‘Easy Carve’ lino is held and scraped against the rock by my hands, applying a similar pressure and movement that I would in climbing it. I printed the lino in series of 10 ‘attempts’ - applying pressure using various techniques, all requiring the strength of my body only. The titles of the prints are named the same as the route name on the boulders. Death Jug Mantel, Smallacombe Rocks, series of 10 prints. |
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Self Portraits amongst Granite (2021) - Digital photographs.
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2020 - A Climbers’ Guide (2020), printed hand bound book and digital edition, 14.8 × 21 cm, 20 pages.
The guide maps a fictional area containing ‘newly established’ climbs and routes during the lockdowns in 2020. The written descriptions play with the origins of place names, and how these often reference time and cultural interests. A space was left at the end for the reader to add and name their own routes, or create narratives for the routes in the book they had ‘climbed’. The digital copy is available online by clicking on the image. |
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A Circle Walk around Vixen Tor, Dartmoor (2021), walk via public rights of way, text piece using What3Words coordinates, way points shared online.
What3Words is a digital mapping app that maps 3 x 3 metre squares using a unique combination of three randomised words. The technology is encouraged especially when in need of emergency services in remote areas as it gives a more accurate destination than the numeric coordinate system. The app allows you to plot routes which can be shared between users to navigate areas that may be hard to describe on a map. Click the image to view a larger version. |
Granite Glossary (2021-ongoing), found and known words and their descriptions.
To be printed in publications of variable dimensions to accompany the pieces in a gallery instalment.
This piece is ongoing, so if you have any words related to Dartmoor, geology, granite or climbing on granite please get in touch, I'd love to add them to the collection!
Click the image to view a larger version.
To be printed in publications of variable dimensions to accompany the pieces in a gallery instalment.
This piece is ongoing, so if you have any words related to Dartmoor, geology, granite or climbing on granite please get in touch, I'd love to add them to the collection!
Click the image to view a larger version.
