SKULLS - GARDEN MUSEUM PAPER CUT

SKULL ON GRAVE IN THE WILD LIFE GARDEN

The skull is one of man's oldest and most powerful symbols. It has a long and varied history, but most commonly it is seen as a representation of death and mortality.

The Nazi SS incorporated the skull into the uniforms of their concentration camp guards in a symbol that probably still invokes fear today.  In the same way the skull and crossbones symbol was placed on bottles of poison as a visual reminder of danger.  And of course it was once flown as the flag of pirates, and was probably as unwelcome a sight as any on the high seas.

SKULL ON TRADESCANT FAMILY TOMB

Today it is commonly used in horror films, horror books, and haunted houses to create an environment or feeling of fear and trepidation.

I have discovered a couple of skulls in the Garden Museum, one on the tomb of the Tradescant family in the Knot garden and another on a grave in the Wild Life Garden outside. These along with a recent Paper Cutting workshop at the Sir John Soane Museum, by Jessica Palmer - artist and illustrator, has inspired me to produce this paper cut of a skull.

MY FIRST SKETCH AND REVERSE OF PAPER CUT

FRONT VIEW OF PAPER CUT

SHINE A TORCH ON THE THE PAPER CUT, THEN TAKE A PICTURE OF THE SHADOW
AND GET THIS WEIRD EFFECT

THE IMAGE LAID OVER SOME OLD PAPER IN PHOTOSHOP

SOME USEFUL LINKS
www.jessicapalmerart.biz
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicapalmer18/sets/72157633103844264/
www.gardenmuseum.org.uk/
www.soane.org/www.obsessedwithskulls.com

ERIC GILL - BE STRONG IN THE LORD

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I have called by name Bezaleel:
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exodus 31 verse 1-2

This carved Bible verse is for a Minster and his wife who are about to move to Scotland to take up a post at a church in St. Andrews. St Andrews is famous for golf and for its university, where Prince William met Kate Middleton. But the point of interest in this carving is the font I have used, which is called Perpetua, designed by Eric Gill.



Eric Gill
I would reckon most people outside the world of art would say they have never heard of Eric Gill. Even though there is a good chance if they use a computer they have a tentative link to him. Eric Gill, who was born in 1882, designed some of the most used fonts to be found on your computer, Gill Sans and Perpetua to name just two. A year or two ago, Gill was the subject of a small exhibition at the British Museum which I was able to attend. Anyone who has such an honour bestowed on them is well worth investigating a little bit more.

Eric Gill and one of his original drawings for Gill Sans

It was said of Gill at the British Museum exhibition, that he is one of the twentieth century’s most controversial artists. His personal life, when he was alive, was seen as scandalous. Since his death even more of his personal life has come to light from his own diaries. This has somewhat coloured his reputation and appeal. (but as someone once said “I don’t think we will pursue that line of inquiry”). But Gill was such a skilled man in many areas, it is very difficult, nigh on impossible to categorise him. He was quite simply a genius as a letter cutter, wood engraver, sculptor, typographer and artist. To be skilled in one of these disciplines is a great gift. But to be highly skilled in all of them as Gill was, it sets him apart as a real genuine genius. He was also a outsider and a radical, Gill, nevertheless became one of the establishments favourite artists. In his life time we produced work for the Roman Catholic Church, the British Government, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Mint, the Post Office, London Underground and the BBC. 

Eric Gill and the hand-painted Gill Sans head board for the LNER Flying Scotsman,
at Kings Cross station, London, c1933

If you would like to find out more about Gills work visit: www.ericgill.org.uk