Early in my ceramics journey I encountered a reoccurring creature within my process that I have come to refer to as the Maeshowe Being.

Originally inspired by the unidentified animal carving on the walls of the Maeshowe chambered cairn in Orkney, these Being’s have taken on a life of their own within my work, morphing beyond the initial creature. The original carving is part of a collection of runes left by Vikings who broke into the 5000 year old cairn in search of treasure, while most of the inscriptions are light-hearted boasting, the carving in question is small, detailed and animalesque.

The Maeshowe Being is now a reoccurring emblem within my work, fascinated by its unidentifiable form, its out of place presence amongst the graffiti and its remarkable age.