Carrying forward my hidden landscape work in the States I discovered that the native americans, who largely died out after the settlers brought smallpox and land ownership to North America, had left their mark on the landscape. The black walnut, the shagbark hickory and the white pine were all trees husbanded, by the native americans in New York state, to provide food. These trees also provide a link to the settlers as it was the native americans who kept the settlers alive with their knowledge of local foods.
The piece is a head piece, held in place by a cast dagger.
The shagbark hickory provided nutmeat which was traded with the settlers, it also withstood the native american practice of brush burning to regenerate the woodland.
This piece is informed by a period photo:-
native american artifacts and the Donghri Kund (in Orissa)
It is held behind the ear by the bronze dagger.
I also sampled making a dagger head in stoneware based on a native american pipe.
juliacowie 