Sheela Na Gig
She is quite the mystery. There are scholars out there who desperately disagree who she is, what she represents, how old she is and where she originated. I often feel the same - thank you menopause.
Anyway, she is often found carved into stone on old churches, abandoned castles, and in one case a version of her is carved into the side of a large stone.
Figure 1 By Elisardojm - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16873167
Some suggest she was a way to warn against female lust, others about fertility, or there to ward away evil spirits as seemingly they feature mostly at windows and doorways.
That enigmatic existence is why I am drawn to her. However, that said, I didn’t think to host a ‘Sheela Na Gig’ workshop until a customer attending my Greenman workshop suggested it.
She’s not the prettiest in the context of contemporary images of ladies, but I think it’s less about aesthetics and more about substance. I’m of the school of thought that she represents a celebration and acknowledgment of the miracle of reproduction, of giving birth, renewal, and the power in that, and that is why I decided to do my two Sheela Na Gig workshops during Spring.
Figure 2 By The original uploader was Pryderi at English Wikipedia. - Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2138106
These are part of my ‘Play with Clay’ workshops, I am offering a morning to create your own ‘Sheela Na Gig’ wall plaque, I supply the space, clay, tools decorative slips, and my guidance. I don’t make any ‘Sheela Na Gig’ pieces as part of my own practice, so my role is to assist with technique, application and to give suggestions, so rather show you how I do it, I’m helping you realise your own vision. You are welcome to come with a definite plan or – like I often do – wing it, no judgement here.
There’s a fair bit of source material out there – as I’m sure you can tell I have had a wee neb on Wikipedia, which provides quite enlightening information I was quite surprised about.
It will be a small number in each workshop and hot beverages and biscuits will be provided, should be good craic.
If you are interested, please click on the link below to book your place.