Saint Brigid Guardian Bird of Relics

Description

The Guardian Birds were made for an exhibition at Glastonbury Abbey in 2017-18. They are double headed eagles who were originally symbolic of protection (before being used as symbols of patriotism by different countries)

My Guardian Birds look after the precious relics that were apparently in abundance in the Abbey during the Medieval ages before the reformation.

The relics I have made are mostly playful analogies, comparing the Catholic tradition of the veneration of relics with modern day trends and culture and of souvenir gifts.

Saint Brigid was believed to have visited Beckery Chapel just outside Glastonbury (the chapel has now gone but the hill remains) where she met with Jesus. She was said to leave her bag and necklace behind. She is patron Saint of many things including milk maids, hence the plastic cows on the bag.

(cement structures, stained glass, hand-gilded glass, hand painted eyes, metal and glass buttons, shell rounds, plastic cows, painted wooden crosses, silver leaf and tea)

370mm(w) x 450mm (h)