Spiderflower
CENTRE FOR EARTH-ENGAGED PERFORMANCE RESEARCH
Tongues in the Flowering Tree
Research & Presentation Site
TESTIMONINALS
Reflections from our CONTRIBUTORS on what it like to quest within Tongues in the Flowering Tree.
'Tongues in the Flowering Tree begins with the beautiful sentence: "Embark on a quest to find the drum that sits in the roots of your ancestral tree."' (Rowan Jacqueline Beckett).
It has brought us on a journey back to our roots, ancestral stories and even further. Back to the story of the Land. Tongues in the Flowering Tree is truly a unique art project. It combines living archaeology, ancestral stories and art.
When we first started in early June 2016, we began by setting a clear intention and started our ancestral research. The whole project has been done on a very fine, sensitive, poetic and symbolic level. It has been a real adventure so far.
As we always set a clear intention and then follow the flow and intuition, we never know exactly where we are going to end up, what we're going to find or how the artwork is going to evolve. It is a wonderful way to work and the results become so rich, deep and interesting.
I didn't find a story in my ancestral research about a physical drum. So, I went to look for stories about drums in the land of my ancestors. This truly becomes a story of the land.
The story is about disconnection and connecting back to who we are and where we come from. I am happy to be a part of this exciting adventure of art and to be able to work with artists who are driven by the meaningfulness in expressing and creating art with the wish that it can benefit the wider whole.'
Therese Lindqvist Persson
Visual Artist / Singer-Songwriter / Dancer
'Being part of the art project, Tongues in the Flowering Tree, I have learned what it is to be an artist. That, as an artist, to follow your gut feeling is the best way to find something true that can touch people. I have moved through all sorts of states, from flying high on clouds, to feeling self-confident, to despair and resistance and passing all sorts of stages to bring forward some great work that holds to the standard of the project. All with great support.
As part of the art project, I have also found my way back to my original contact with clay. I started to lose it during my time in art collage/ school due to all the assignments and limitations. But as Tongues in the Flowering Tree urges you to go deeper as a creator, so you develop the relationship with the material you are working with.
So many unexpected things have happened during my time so far with Tongues in the Flowering Tree and it feels as I am expanding with it.
The energy the project is carrying is like crystal clear water and the focus is on the art. It has given me courage to start believing in myself as an artist and dare to show my work to the community around me.'
Sandra Falkeborn
Ceramic Artist / Dancer
"In the late 90's I began working with Rowan doing women's residential dance workshops. These were rooted in nature (the earth's magic), and arcane wisdom.
Over the years I have been lucky enough to witness Rowan's journey, and the evolution of her work into Spiderflower. As I recall the birth of Spiderflower took place during an eclipse, with a spider on a flower in a singing bowl... within Avebury Henge. A very special organic and alchemical moment.
Now over 20 years on, I have a deep love and respect for Rowan as an individual, and for her work which I believe has a great deal of importance and significance in today's troubled world.
I trust in her ability to facilitate and guide energy in ways that are mostly forgotten in our modern life, so much so, that my family and I entrusted her to perform my mother's funeral service in 2006. She did a beautiful job with so much respect and integrity, and guided us through some truly incomprehensible encounters. The memories of that beautiful occasion stand out in friends and family's minds to this day.
With this in mind, it has been such an honour - as well as exciting and challenging to embark on questing with Tounges in the Flowering Tree.
This exploration began in earnest back in spring 2016, and has taken me deep into the realms of my personal history, conscious and unconscious mind, and soul. It is helping me to dig up buried treasure that was lying dormant creatively. Rowan has supported, encouraged and held space for me to develop as an artist in way's I would not have thought of.
Spiderflower is, in my humble opinion, essential work that has deep roots, originality, authenticity and much to offer humanity as we move forward towards a new paradigm. I am a fuller person for my experiences and journeys with Rowan. Many thanks doesn't even start to cover my appreciation for the love and support from Rowan, and for the shared teachings of Spiderflower over the years."
Ketama Lane
Sound & Visual Artist / Mother / Dancer