Julie Massam

Contemporary Artist

Steps Through Tremenheere

Exhibition five ‘Steps Through Tremenheere’ is a direct response to the previous project at Levant Mine. It was chosen to be regenerative and ‘healing’. In Spring 2021 after I purchased a season ticket for Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens I spent  several happy hours collecting natural ‘artefacts’ from the forest floor. Back at my studio, I took simple monoprints from dried palm leaves that I had found along the boardwalk. The result can be seen on the first gallery page of this exhibition.

Though my intent had been to focus on the natural beauty of the gardens, there was no denying that something unexpected had appeared. The figure looks like a monk or religious man – perhaps a pilgrim. Further research revealed that Tremenheere had been owned by the monks of St. Michael’s Mount until the year 1295.In addition, the ancient St. Michael’s way crosses the land here – a route long used by pilgrims en route to the Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage.

I prepared this important print in the style of a Christian Icon to honour this man, inviting him to be my guide and accompany me on my journey through Tremenheere.