Jabberwocky in the Garden
Photo credit to Lucy Cox
A reaction to Picton Castle Trust’s collection and grounds
The elongated, narrow shape of the worked panel emulates both a shield and an arrow slit—acknowledging the martial relevance of ancient parts of the castle. Embroidered with heavy chains and real pearls, the embroidered frame is inspired by the many gilded frames surrounding treasures in the collection, the chain links the infinite relations tied to this castle.
Surrounding the painting is a knotted motif, jointly referencing an aspect of the nearby sacred Nevern Cross, while also being pulled from the humble wicker-knotted carpet beater. Wicker carpet beaters would have been used regularly by well-worn hands on the estate for centuries. With deep family connections in the area, artist Mhairi Treharne senses that her distant family may have handled useful objects such as the carpet beater within Picton Castle.
Overhead is the iconic Magnolia Campbellii flowering above the iconic entrance of Picton Castle. Vibrant azaleas canopy an impression of the forested garden paths. A slice of the wildflower meadow is depicted with impressions of native orchids, Pink Spikes, Southern Marsh Orchids, and grasses. The well-known bluebells of the gardens share space.
Shade surrounds ‘The Jabberwocky’ at play—the Jabberwocky motif has been pulled from the 1st Worcester porcelain tea and coffee set. The 1768 Jabberwocky design is described by The Museum of Royal Worcester as a ‘fantastic dragon’. The Jabberwocky tea set has been handled and used whilst pivotal conversations and entertainments took place over the centuries—a beautiful and important family of objects within the collection. The dragon’s connection to Picton’s porcelain treasures and its resonance with the modern iconic Welsh dragon make the Jabberwocky the main character of this painting. At the lowermost point of the painting, the coiling ceiling rose from the Formal Drawing Room is referenced—knotting in with both the garden and the motif frame.
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‘Jabberwocky’ pattern tea and coffee service, from the collection at Picton Castle Gardens. from the late 1700’s
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