'Forest, stream, town and village unwilling their titles Slavonic
Altered; the form but remains, the spirit of Sláva is gone.
O who will come, these graves from a living dream to awaken?
Who will the rightful heir back to his country restore?' – Jan Kollar.
Where are Perun, Weles and Mokosh? What happened to Rokita, Stringa and Vodnik? Will we once again celebrate the first thunder of the year, bringing offerings to the fire, thanking Gods for the spring?
This project was inspired by personal experience of growing up around Slavic culture. Through an exploration of the origins of local legends and traditions, I learnt more about the lives of pre-Christian Slavs. What specifically interested me was Slavic craft – from ritual masks, amulets and statues of gods to unique embroidery patterns found on traditional clothing. Slavic craft has preserved the spirits of our Slavic ancestors.
The aim of this project was to restore the memory of Slavic culture, using various techniques including woodwork, pyrography and embroidery.
Pyrography pieces exploring traditional embroidery patterns
Engraved glass with traditional botanical pattern
Embroidery piece with botanical pattern
Embroidery piece with traditional 'krzczonowski' pattern
Perun, Veles and Mokosh, relief sculptures, wooden panels, 100 x 21cm
Illustration from Motanka zine
Illustration from Motanka zine
Illustration from Motanka zine