VITA IN MOTU

Print description

Vita in Motu

Houghton Hall in Norfolk, England, features a historical sundial bearing the Latin motto Vita in motu, meaning “life is in motion”. Life and time never stand still, and art is a wonderful way to record our experiences and travels.

My print shows a surround border of Bawsey tiles, small medieval floor tiles with lead glaze and relief decoration, produced at a commercial kiln site in Bawsey, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, from the late 14th century onwards.

The Bawsey tiles feature a fascinating variety of subjects, from stylised animals and birds to mythical creatures such as dragons, lions and griffins. Heraldic designs display the coats of arms and emblems of noble families, while others bear inscriptions, names and lettering. Floral motifs, including rosettes, marguerites and fleur-de-lis, sit alongside intricate geometric patterns and tracery. Together, these small medieval tiles offer a glimpse into the beliefs, identities and decorative tastes of the time.

At Norwich Museum, there is a wonderful display of these tiles alongside the remains of an ancient skeleton. My first attempt was to depict him, but he gave me such a fright that I decided instead to draw a monumental brass of Thomas Childe, dating from 1452 and found in Kent.

Print details

To create this print, I begin by making individual drawings in ink, which I then bring together to form the final composition. I scan these original drawings and digitally add colour. The finished design exists solely in digital form and is printed using archival inks on fine art paper. I release the design as a limited-edition print, available in standard ‘A’ sizes, ranging from A0 (84.1 × 118.9 cm) to A4 (21 × 29.7 cm).