Hand, Rush and Weave
Bolts of rushes harvested from along the River Barrow. Summer 2023.
Down by the water's edge, wind whispers through the reeds rustling up ancient histories. Pale morning light seeps into a sheltered lake shore cove. Among quivering reeds a small wooden boat sways in the shallows, mallard quarrel, an egret tip-toes by, beady-eyed hunter.
June on Lough Derg and time to gather rushes. Pulling on a wet suit and a pair of thick soled rubber boots I take up my Grimm Reaper scythe and wade through the water towards the dense reed bed.
It takes time to establish a rhythm. The left hand grasps the rush, the right arm swings the scythe cutting stems close to the river bed. Accumulations of cut rush float to form a natural raft. After several hours, exhaustion calls time. I shield the scythe and push the rush-raft ashore.
June on Lough Derg and time to gather rushes. Pulling on a wet suit and a pair of thick soled rubber boots I take up my Grimm Reaper scythe and wade through the water towards the dense reed bed.
It takes time to establish a rhythm. The left hand grasps the rush, the right arm swings the scythe cutting stems close to the river bed. Accumulations of cut rush float to form a natural raft. After several hours, exhaustion calls time. I shield the scythe and push the rush-raft ashore.
As a third generation maker, my grandfather was a stonemason and carver, my father works in wood, an appreciation for the hand-made is embedded in my genes. As a child I was encouraged by my parents to make and create, using whatever material was to hand, paper-mache was a favourite. I worked as a sculptor for almost fifteen years, metal work mostly, welding, twisting and hammering steel into submission. The heavy work took its toll in the form of repetitive strain injury. Chronic pain ensued and eventually I was obliged to leave steel and seek out a less physically demanding creative medium, a task that was easier said than done.
I found the solution down by the river. Paddling my canoe along Ireland's rivers and canals I rejoiced in a wetland habitat flourishing with lush and varied flora. From orchids and angelica to yellow flag iris. Harebells, yellow cress and wetland herbs formed a magical carpet, both underwater and in open air. Reeds, rush and sedge thrived along the margins. Common Club-rush (Scirpus lacustris) grows profusely along the River Shannon and curiosity about the plant led me to a forgotten heritage craft – rush weaving. Creative hands, I discovered, can fashion rush into a myriad of items from mats, chair seats and baskets to hats, shoes and vessels of all kind. A world of opportunity invited me to explore.
I found the solution down by the river. Paddling my canoe along Ireland's rivers and canals I rejoiced in a wetland habitat flourishing with lush and varied flora. From orchids and angelica to yellow flag iris. Harebells, yellow cress and wetland herbs formed a magical carpet, both underwater and in open air. Reeds, rush and sedge thrived along the margins. Common Club-rush (Scirpus lacustris) grows profusely along the River Shannon and curiosity about the plant led me to a forgotten heritage craft – rush weaving. Creative hands, I discovered, can fashion rush into a myriad of items from mats, chair seats and baskets to hats, shoes and vessels of all kind. A world of opportunity invited me to explore.
I'm currently developing a range of rush woven fashion and home accessories available for sale from summer 2024.