Residency at Trondheim, Norway

In 2011, I was awarded an ArtsSA Professional Development Grant to complete a month long residency at Lademoen Kunstnerverksteder in Trondheim, Norway.

My residency culminated in an exhibition at Trondheim’s Babel Gallery and included a series of prints developed from drawings made in the Nidaros Cathedral crypt

In the eleventh century, after a long and bloody career as a Viking pirate, Saint Olaf returned to Norway and became king, ruling from the ancient capital of Trondheim. He ruthlessly converted his people to Christianity before dying in battle. A spring with healing properties is said to have originated from his grave and Nidaros Cathedral was later built on the site. The city of Trondheim became and still is, a centre of pilgrimage where believers come hoping to be cured.

My artists books feature images incorporating votive offerings. Exvotos have existed for thousands of years in many cultures. Often taking the form of the body part that is to be healed, these magical artefacts are activated by placing them on a church shrine and offering prayer to a patron saint.