FOUNDATIONS REVEALED COMPETITION ENTRY
Morrigan
(click images to to enlarge)
Other Credits
Made for, modelled and photographed by me
Outline the story …
My entry is The Morrigan from Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley) in Thomas Kinsella’s translation, The Táin, based on the first two recensions from 11th & 14th c. manuscripts including remscéla (pre-tales). Morrigan is a complex character representing the ‘otherworld’ in this story as a shapeshifter and prophesier of doom and death in battle so I wanted to show this fierceness, strength and knowing, while showing her moralistic side, befitting her title – Great Queen. The story revolves around a battle between Connaught and Ulster over the ownership of a valuable bull, Donn Cuailnge. Ulster incurs a curse preventing them from fighting back: cue the hero – Cú Chulainn – who is hindered and wounded by Morrigan all along the way. She incites war, whispering in the ears of enemies but contrary to expectation she also encourages the opposition to retaliate. Despite her prophetic obligations her morals want for a fair fight. She maims Cú Chulainn as promised in the guise of an eel, wolf and cow, and he wounds her in return until she appears one day as an old hag whose deformities he regretfully heals under trickery where she flies away as a crow and curses him for his cruel words. Despite her hatred for him, she shows him kindness by allowing Ulster to win the battle after his death. The power and majesty in her character heavily influenced the sharp lines in her capelet and collar combined with the beauty and elegance of the lace.
Outline the construction…
Used my visual brain and basic maths to sketch out multiple ideas and 'pattern pieces' for this project - my brain died on several occasions. I have never used a pattern for anything and had no real idea where to start with this so there was a lot of weird measuring methods going on (and lots of pen marks on my neck and chest!) I had some fabrics bought on sale the last 18 months and bought one extra for this competition. I tried felling techniques for the inner seams on the lace top, also two layers back to back for the collar piece. The lace had a small amount of stretch in one direction and so was a nightmare to measure and get the pattern lined up where I wanted it on my body but I managed it! I so wanted to do the hand-stitched eyelet holes at the back of the collar but turned out the layers were so thick and without and awl, I improvised with a skewer and a paintbrush end(!) but then didn't have thick/silk thread to make the stitches properly so that was upsetting. I tried on one but realised it wasn't going to work for now. I watched the sleeve videos from FR's last outreach but couldn't fathom how to do that without a pattern so worked with the cape idea instead. Sewing machine and hand-sewing. Played with different textures to mimic feathers. 3 pieces: Lace top; Cape; Cuff.
This is beautiful, dark and impressive. Well done!
Thank you so much Nikki! What a wonderful tri of adjectives! 🙂 🌖
Very Morrigan. Very strong image and shape. It sounds like you fought hard to bring this to life, and you succeeded. Good luck x
Love the capelet. It really enhances the strong image of the character.
Lots of details ! Love your ideas !!
Wow, what a fantastic interpretation. Love the strong sharp edges and the modern almost superhero look, the feather lines also gives association to a sunrise, the shapes against the lace and draping gives a nice contrast.
Strong, dark feminine, supernatural, rising, diffrent shapes all of witch are linking to the character, impressive!
I’m picturing this in a big theater production.
Looks amazing! I really liked the cape piece! The contrast between the very light material in the top and the heavier material in the cape is wonderful!
Absolutely gorgeous! I love it! You really did an amazing job 🖤
Such a striking design! It communicates everything you had in mind, and looks fantastic on you besides.
Love the cape, it’s so unique!
That capelet is striking! I love it so much! I love the whole outfit as well. It’s imaginative! Thank you!