Claire Winfield

The term "trap in amber" means to preserve for perpetuity or, at least, a very long time. Some creatures trapped in amber have been preserved for millions of years.

Working with feathers and ferns I have explored the idea of "fossilisation" through mono printing and a process of layering with tissue paper and PVA adhesive.

Feather 1   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Feather 2   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Feather 3   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Feather 4   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

feather 5   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Feather 6   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Feather 7   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Fern 1   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Fern 2   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

Fern 3   monoprint collage 21 x 30cm

This work explores the idea of dendrochronology, a commonly used term in archaeology for the dating of wooden structures. Each ring seen in a felled tree trunk corresponds to a year's growth and, by reference to a sample of known age, the wood can be dated.

Here I am making a "birthday card" in response to a friend's exhibition on the theme of birthdays.

sawn tree trunk

the process

frottage print

The monoprints below are the further result of this initial response.

These prints are made using a very simple process: ink is rolled out onto a piece of plastic film and then a circular mark is made using the edge of a small piece of wood. A piece of paper is then laid on top, and a print is taken.

We found this pair of ancient and mysterious labyrinth symbols carved into rocks just north of Tintagel in Cornwall.

Thought to date back to the Bronze Age (1800 - 1400 BCE), these symbols have been subject to different interpretations. They are said to be Celtic fertility symbols or representations of the tree of life. Whatever their meaning they are marks from the past frozen in time to be experienced by us in the present.

The prints below were produced by the frottage process shown.