love token: an invitation to see
the world in a different way
Love Token: an invitation to see the world in a different way - paper, pressed flora & fauna, watercolour, ink, pencil
this puzzle purse acts as an interactive and
tangible love token to the forest, tracing
human and non-human relationships and
queerness found in the natural world.
it holds a poem of queer belonging.
after attending a series of workshops led by
artist duo Phos (Lucy Cash and Luke Pell)
exploring queerness in the New Forest, i
was invited to create an artwork to be
shown within their exhibition.
responding to Phos’ practice, i created this
Puzzle Purse, a form of 19th century Love
Token often exchanged as romantic
messages.
an invitation / to see the / world in a / different way
here we gather
our paths intertwining
like ferns unfurling, tenderly
the ancient trees tell stories
(whisper secrets)
their shared language
a common knowledge
(if we listen closely)
here we stand
disrupting the ground / that has settled
so newness can grow through
and decay / becomes renewal
in the light of day
this artwork was commissioned for Phos’ exhibition
Our New Common Forest: A Queer Almanac
at spudWORKS in Sway. [2022]