ANCIENT YEWS

Graveyard yew trees in British history and folklore. Exploring their dual pagan and Christian heritage, and association with both life and death.

This piece is inspired by the Ancient Yew trees commonly found in British graveyards. They are often much older than the nearby Church, and have a long history of spiritual importance; believed to be sacred to pagans, druids and Hecate, Greek goddess of witchcraft and death. Yew trees have a dual association with life and death, being poisonous but also very long lived. Some of the ancient Yews in Britain are thought to be thousands of years old.

Part of the 'End is Nigh' exhibition at Light Grey Art Lab.

Prints: https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/carlydraws/ancient-yews/