Pots, Migrations, Needles, Death
Human migration has become one of the issues of our time and Covid lockdowns have amplified the boundaries and divisions we have created to keep us ‘in place’. I was pondering the arrival of the Beaker people to Britain about 4,4000 years ago towards the end of the Neolithic. They could merrily walk in across the land bridge to eastern Britain armed with knowledge, potential and with their identifiable clay pots.
Ceramics.
The Beaker probably moved north from Spain, spreading across Europe and up to Britain. They gained their name from the characteristic ‘bell’ shaped pots that they produced, often with stamped designs on them. Clay pots had first been made up to 20,000 years ago in China. Here, I’ve created a rag bag of pot shapes to celebrate them.
Black Star
Degenerating, matter collapsing in on itself, but not quite a black hole. This also references Blackstar, David Bowie’s phenomenal, visceral final album; a dark masterpiece released just two days before Bowie’s death in January 2016.
Sewing Needles.
These have also found their way in here. We take them for granted too, and yes, the simple, but significant bone sewing needle with a small eye for threading was also invented early. Bone and ivory needles have been found in China and Russia about 30,000 years ago. Imagine trying to get your wardrobe sorted out without them.
January 2021 was the deadliest month in the UK with Covid deaths averaging 1,000 a day.
Hardly surprisingly new Covid variants were beginning to appear.