CLOOTIE WELL

“Portable Clootie Well”. This structure sensitively challenges the idea of hospital art in a healing environment where you are discouraged from producing artwork that mentions illness Traditionally clootie wells were destinations of pilgrimages. The holy wells were most often found deep in forests. Travelling pilgrims would dip rags from their clothes or clothes of friends hanging them on the surrounding trees. As the rags dry so their ailment improves. With this installation, I have included a jar of holy water from a northern spring, rags and a tree branch to hang them from. There is also a bed compartment for pilgrims to rest in and reading material - texts about nature and healing. The well is intended to supplement the medicine in hospital with a spiritual component especially for patients and family who cannot travel. images © mike inglis