At the end of September 2025 I completed a textile piece which records some of the flowers blooming on Burgess Field from March (Blackthorn) to June (Field Poppy).
I draw in cottons and embroidery silks on undyed calico and the length will be padded and backed in calico and suspended from a baton to become a wall hanging. The finished piece will be 290 cm in length by 77 cm from top to bottom.
Whenever I visit the reserve I hear and see jays. They often bury acorns and a spread of oak trees might result if conditions allow.
I’ve therefore scattered a few oak leaf shapes across the piece and added some small creatures … snails, a ladybird and my favourite butterfly, The Spotted Wood.
I’m finding it funny that many of the sewn flowers can be identified on the plant app on my phone.
Blog updated October 4th, 2025
I’m taking on the very relaxed and informal role of artist in residence at Burgess Field Nature Reserve, Oxford. Please follow this link to learn about the history of the reserve and the ongoing work by the Friends of Burgess Field. It’s a story of joyful hope in an otherwise sad era for our natural world and I’m extremely pleased to be able to work here.
https://www.friendsofburgessfield.co.uk
I have very little idea - or perhaps far too many ideas of what I might do but the first part of the residency is going to entail the naming of areas on the site. There are a few names already on the Friends’ website map such as Snipe Field. I would like to gather others, even if there are several for the same area. If you have given your own name to a spot that you know and love on the reserve, please email it to me and, with your permission, I will use it in my work. imo.rigden@icloud.com
This residency will culminate in a solo show at The North Wall gallery, Oxford in the autumn of 2027. We have plenty of time….
Say hello if you see me on site!
Blog begun March 2025