Elements
A collection of leather shields & clothing created between 1990-95
The shields were created to both protect from the elements as well as represent archetypal, primal concepts that connected the spiritual & practical, as a traveler constantly moving on, I lived in the shields whilst living in the elements.
They were developed using traditional patchworking designs I’d grown up making & intended to represent my own interpretations of folklore & pagan beliefs.
Thunderbird shield
The first shield evolved as I patched a leather top that was my favourite.
The Thunderbird is one of the oldest pagan concepts & is represented in many similar forms across time & cultures.
The Thunderbird instills a sense of awe & reverence for nature spirits, allowing them to be heard if you listen.
The earth around you is more aware than you are.
Sit still long enough & the local animals will consider you belong there & are no threat, then you can see where you really are
& the spirit of the land will speak to you.
Sun shield
Living in a rainforest what could be more important than to feel the warmth of the sun?
Rain shield
The storm bird calls before the storm, warning to take shelter, protecting & renewing across the mountains, marking seasonal changes that tell the observant when to move on…
Crazy dog shield
The crazy dog travels across the land
he leaves his footprints in the mud & his tracks in the sand….
Across cultures shaman use spirit animals to connect to the divine
Contemplation of the four directions & where they will take you is essential before you begin any journey.
Horsetails shield
Travel lightly…
A winged being, this shield has horsetail ties from a horse that couldn’t be tied up, a free spirit that loved to jump fences & couldn’t be contained, she was my best friend & fellow traveler…
Model: Shelly Nagas. Photography: Mimi La Fae & Harmonica Leigh, Lismore 2014