The Witchcraft Series explores the history of witch trials and the power of ‘the witch’ in our culture, both as metaphor for our fears, and as representation of social injustice towards women.

The tapestries often depict the trials of specific historic “witches” from the West Country, especially Somerset and Devon, illustrating their tales with images of spells, witches’ familiars and magic symbols.

Anne Jackson uses historical texts and original illustrations, along with contemporary scientific and cultural references, to memorialise individual women, and comment on ways we try to exert control over our world and our own lives. Her medium, a textile art form called knotted tapestry, uses cotton, linen and synthetic yarns to create vivid, intensely-coloured imagery.
 
‘My work is concerned with breaking out of the convention which associates textiles and woven tapestry with a sense of cosiness and comfort, using elements of irony, and even humour. My intention is to present an object which is visually arresting, and hopefully, thought-provoking.’

About Anne Jackson

Photo credit: Mei Lim