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The Alchemy of the Bog

22 Mar, 2022 —  10 May, 2022
The Alchemy of the Bog

This is a hand made book with original mono prints and text. The size is A5, when folded and it is a concertina structure. It is illustrated with prints depicting the layers of earth, which form the bog. The text describes the way in which trees are drawn down into the dark acid soil and the fossils and treasures which are enveloped in the damp earth over many centuries – skeletons, tools, even preserved butter. The cover of the book is a dark brown handmade paper, which has a rough texture, like crumbled earth and the prints are in brown/black ink.

The inspiration for this book comes from a personal interest in family life in rural Ireland in the past and the ways in which communities and the working year were shaped by the need to cut and store turf for warmth and cooking through the long months. It is a way of life which has almost vanished now, because of the industrialisation of turf cutting and the more recent demand to preserve the peat bogs for environmental benefit. They are highly valuable for carbon capture and turf is rarely cut by hand now. This has had a major impact on family life and the focus of rural communities.

Buy this book

  • Book price
    £460
  • Post and packing
    £20
  • Insurance
    £10
  • Total inclusive price
    £490

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  • Bog book 2

  • Bog Book 3

  • Bog Book 1

… the dark acid soil and the fossils and treasures which are enveloped in the damp earth over many centuries – skeletons, tools, even preserved butter