Modern Day Morwenna

One of my ideas for the Cruel and Curious Sea Art Show was to make sure Saint Morwenna had a place. She had and has a great influence hereabouts.

This is my take on Morwenna, bringing her into the 21st century, with a nod towards Russian iconography, painted on wood, adorned with gold leaf. Strong, feminine, compassionate she must have been quite a lady. The swallow on the board often a sailor’s tattoo, represents safe passage home. The yellow flowers are Gorse, which has always been the unofficial emblem for Cornwall.

Morwenna getting a coat of varnish

The daughter of the a welsh king Brychan and sister to Saint Nectan, Morwenna is said to have built the church at Morwenstow for the local people, carrying stone on her head from beneath Hennacliff circa 500 AD.

Even in the sixth century summers, the water must have looked very tempting and I really want to believe Saint Morwenna enjoyed it as much as the rest of us.

Here she is finished and displayed. I found an old reclaimed salvaged garden metal plant hanger which sets her off perfectly. It doesn’t really show here, but the LED’s showed off the gold leaf a treat.

Modern Morwenna complete with lighting.

I think she would have greatly appreciated this film made by Lee Robertson for the Cruel and Curious Sea, projected onto the wall of the shippon with music created specially by Jack Bessant