Earth Pigments Of Britain: Part One
Recording of an online talk with Lucy Mayes
This originally took place onTuesday 23rd January 2024
We often hear about the incredible ancient cave paintings in France, South Africa, and Australia, but have you ever considered our how ochres have historically been used in Britain?
Despite our damp climate, ancient signs of cave paintings can be found in Creswell crags, with tools and containers found in sites such as Star Carr and Blick Mead, uncovering the fascinating use of earth pigments by prehistoric communities in the UK. These traces of pigment provide a unique window into the everyday lives and cultural practices of early inhabitants, offering a tangible connection to their artistic expressions in ancient Britain.
Join Lucy for a deep dive into the fascinating world of ochres from England, Wales and Scotland. Earth pigments, particularly ochre, carry a legacy that spans millennia. They connect us to the geological and cultural history of the British Isles, offering a palette that reflects the diversity and richness of the land.
In this session, Lucy will take you on an odyssey across the British Isles, traversing landscapes from the wet tawny clays of London to the vivid reds reminiscent of The Red Lady of Paviland and the mystique of abandoned mines in the north of England.
What to Expect:
Geological Exploration: Uncover the geological terms that define the unique ochres of Britain, revealing the stories written in the earth.
Folklore and Magic: Delve into the rich folklore and magic that surround these earth pigments, connecting us to the ancient traditions of the British Isles.
British Ochre Sites: Lucy will share anecdotal stories of exciting ochre trips, offering a personal touch to this exploration.
Archaeology: A presentation of important archaeological sites closely tied to ochre, providing a window into our historical connection to the earth.
Practical Demonstration: Join Lucy in a practical ochre processing demonstration, unraveling the artistry behind these earthly pigments. Whether you're a novice or an experienced pigment maker, gain practical tips for processing earth and unlock the secrets to harnessing ochre's true potential.
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About Lucy Mayes
Lucy Mayes is an artist and pigment maker & researcher working in London and Hampshire. Her work as ‘London Pigment’ uses urban waste stream materials to make recycled pigment. Her practice is centred on the use of unusual, surprising or esoteric raw materials to make colour as a way of documenting events or ‘happenings’. Verdigris made from copper wire stripped from burnt-out mopeds, soot and ash from park fires and construction rubble have all been used in her work to make new pigments. Her colour-making practice centres on creating sustainable pigments from anthropocene waste streams. She works in the capacity of pigment/colour consultant and has worked with Neptune Interiors Ltd, Jaguar Land Rover, Royal Cornwall Museum, V&A, Kew Gardens on pigment projects. She previously worked as product developer and pigment specialist at renowned colourman L.Cornelissen & Son where she developed their historical pigment archive. She teaches pigment making at institutions nationally and hopes to re-orientate our connections to colour; through the creation of intimate relationships with matter formed through embodied making.orld.
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