Site-specific installation commissioned by The Parks Section,St Edmonsbury Borough Council for the Abbey Gardens to coincide with Art Textiles 3 exhibition in Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery. 2004
The Abbey Gardens include the ruins of the Abbey of St Edmund and splendid floral bedding displays.
My research led to the discovery that St Edmund was the first patron saint of England before St George so I decided to design a flag in his name.
Christian art represents St Edmund with sword and arrow the instruments of his torture. I chose a red arrow on a white background deliberately close in design to the flag of St George in order to point to discussions of nationalism, identity and belonging.
I also wanted to relate the art work to the present day use of the site and I directly copied the formal design of the floral beds in the layout of this work. 10,000 polyester flags with wooden sticks over an approximate diameter of 70m.
susan leask 