TIM WHITTON - Carved: 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.