James Winnett
@jameswinnett.bsky.social
Artist, stone carver, workshop leader • Public art • Crossovers between sculpture, archaeology, folklore, place, memory • Storytelling • Creative ageing • Occasional Tour guide •📍Glasgow
👋 Hi folks! About time I introduced myself!
I'm an artist and stone carver living in Glasgow and working across the UK and Ireland. In recent years my practice has focused mainly on stone carving through public and private commissions... 1/2
#publicart #stonecarving
I'm an artist and stone carver living in Glasgow and working across the UK and Ireland. In recent years my practice has focused mainly on stone carving through public and private commissions... 1/2
#publicart #stonecarving
October 8, 2025 at 10:17 AM
👋 Hi folks! About time I introduced myself!
I'm an artist and stone carver living in Glasgow and working across the UK and Ireland. In recent years my practice has focused mainly on stone carving through public and private commissions... 1/2
#publicart #stonecarving
I'm an artist and stone carver living in Glasgow and working across the UK and Ireland. In recent years my practice has focused mainly on stone carving through public and private commissions... 1/2
#publicart #stonecarving
It's interesting how the apotropaic carvings seem slightly haphazardly placed, like they are overlaying the existing carved face of the stone - in stark contrast with the neatly planned and executed capitals nearby.
The two crypts where the capitals can be found were built in the 1100s-1200s.
The two crypts where the capitals can be found were built in the 1100s-1200s.
September 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
It's interesting how the apotropaic carvings seem slightly haphazardly placed, like they are overlaying the existing carved face of the stone - in stark contrast with the neatly planned and executed capitals nearby.
The two crypts where the capitals can be found were built in the 1100s-1200s.
The two crypts where the capitals can be found were built in the 1100s-1200s.
The geometric forms are presumably 'apotropaic' - protective designs thought to ward of evil and chaos through their use of order and infinite lines. I've seen similar examples in Girona, France and Ireland. Apparently the guy who commissioned the work had stone masons brought in from Lombardy...
September 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The geometric forms are presumably 'apotropaic' - protective designs thought to ward of evil and chaos through their use of order and infinite lines. I've seen similar examples in Girona, France and Ireland. Apparently the guy who commissioned the work had stone masons brought in from Lombardy...
I loved coming across these expressive geometric carvings alongside the more formally designed Romanesque capitals at Bremen Cathedral when I visited back in June.
Scary faces, smiling lions(?), coiled serpents, all interspersed with stars and funny little knots...
Scary faces, smiling lions(?), coiled serpents, all interspersed with stars and funny little knots...
September 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
I loved coming across these expressive geometric carvings alongside the more formally designed Romanesque capitals at Bremen Cathedral when I visited back in June.
Scary faces, smiling lions(?), coiled serpents, all interspersed with stars and funny little knots...
Scary faces, smiling lions(?), coiled serpents, all interspersed with stars and funny little knots...
I noticed so many details when carving this one - the original has a real beautiful economy of line, it's so carefully designed and executed.
If anyone would like one of these let me know - I'm thinking of doing a run of slightly different interpretations later in the year. ⚒️🔥
If anyone would like one of these let me know - I'm thinking of doing a run of slightly different interpretations later in the year. ⚒️🔥
September 1, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I noticed so many details when carving this one - the original has a real beautiful economy of line, it's so carefully designed and executed.
If anyone would like one of these let me know - I'm thinking of doing a run of slightly different interpretations later in the year. ⚒️🔥
If anyone would like one of these let me know - I'm thinking of doing a run of slightly different interpretations later in the year. ⚒️🔥
Another interpretation of the Govan Warrior in the making... and now on display alongside the original at Govan Old Church. @govanstones.bsky.social
The early medieval original (9th or 10th century) was found during excavations in 2023... 1/2
The early medieval original (9th or 10th century) was found during excavations in 2023... 1/2
September 1, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Another interpretation of the Govan Warrior in the making... and now on display alongside the original at Govan Old Church. @govanstones.bsky.social
The early medieval original (9th or 10th century) was found during excavations in 2023... 1/2
The early medieval original (9th or 10th century) was found during excavations in 2023... 1/2
Great to revisit the Cuningar Loop and check in on my stones there while running the new Parkrun. 15 stones - carved 11 years ago. Someone is using a couple of them to feed the birds! 🌞💛
August 3, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Great to revisit the Cuningar Loop and check in on my stones there while running the new Parkrun. 15 stones - carved 11 years ago. Someone is using a couple of them to feed the birds! 🌞💛
Had an inspiring time exploring the incredible collection of medieval casts at the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine in Paris. Having the opportunity to see so many architectural carvings from a variety of sites up close was really special. The museum space itself is stunning too!
April 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Had an inspiring time exploring the incredible collection of medieval casts at the Cité de l’architecture et du patrimoine in Paris. Having the opportunity to see so many architectural carvings from a variety of sites up close was really special. The museum space itself is stunning too!
The 18 stones carry a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
April 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The 18 stones carry a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
There is now a guide booklet available for The Stones of the Hollow Hill public art project at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare.
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). There is a map of the park, photographs of each stone and interpretations of the story...
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). There is a map of the park, photographs of each stone and interpretations of the story...
April 4, 2025 at 12:20 PM
There is now a guide booklet available for The Stones of the Hollow Hill public art project at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare.
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). There is a map of the park, photographs of each stone and interpretations of the story...
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). There is a map of the park, photographs of each stone and interpretations of the story...
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). They can be used as a guide to the stones as they are walked through in sequence with drawings and activities for each carving.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
April 4, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Booklets are available online (Etsy link below). They can be used as a guide to the stones as they are walked through in sequence with drawings and activities for each carving.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
This bi-lingual activity book acts as a guide for The Stones of the Hollow Hill, a public art project at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare. The 18 stones carry a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill..
April 4, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This bi-lingual activity book acts as a guide for The Stones of the Hollow Hill, a public art project at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare. The 18 stones carry a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill..
You'll see I'm reading from a guide booklet to the work in some of the photos - more on that soon! 🌅🔥⚒️💚
Photos by @mark_mcguire_photography
Photos by @mark_mcguire_photography
February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
You'll see I'm reading from a guide booklet to the work in some of the photos - more on that soon! 🌅🔥⚒️💚
Photos by @mark_mcguire_photography
Photos by @mark_mcguire_photography
I really enjoyed the conversations that were sparked around the folklore and mythology of the surrounding landscape as well as the memories of the landfill itself and the incredible transformation of the site...
February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I really enjoyed the conversations that were sparked around the folklore and mythology of the surrounding landscape as well as the memories of the landfill itself and the incredible transformation of the site...
It was great to see what a few years ago was just an idea in a sketchbook come to fruition. Thanks to everyone who joined the tours and for entering into the story in the carvings so enthusiastically...
February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
It was great to see what a few years ago was just an idea in a sketchbook come to fruition. Thanks to everyone who joined the tours and for entering into the story in the carvings so enthusiastically...
Thankfully we got lucky on two of the mornings when, for the first time, a small crowd of hardy souls gathered on the summit to witness the first rays of sunlight shining through the eastern stone to illuminate the final carving in the story...
February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Thankfully we got lucky on two of the mornings when, for the first time, a small crowd of hardy souls gathered on the summit to witness the first rays of sunlight shining through the eastern stone to illuminate the final carving in the story...
A couple of weeks ago I led a series of sunrise and sunset tours of the Stones of Hollow Hill to coincide with the Brigid's Day alignment...
February 18, 2025 at 12:59 PM
A couple of weeks ago I led a series of sunrise and sunset tours of the Stones of Hollow Hill to coincide with the Brigid's Day alignment...
The character of Brigid references traditions connected to both Brigid the goddess of pre-Christian
Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior
of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen...
Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior
of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen...
January 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The character of Brigid references traditions connected to both Brigid the goddess of pre-Christian
Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior
of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen...
Ireland and Saint Brigid. The character of Fionn draws on the stories of Fionn Mac Cumhaill, the great warrior
of Irish mythology who is said to have lived nearby on the Hill of Allen...
The carvings on the stones tell a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
January 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The carvings on the stones tell a story that draws on Irish mythology, the folklore of the surrounding landscape and the recent history of Kerdiffstown landfill.
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The tale involves two heroic figures named Brigid and Fionn who set out on an epic quest to recover a stolen fire...
The Stones of the Hollow Hill are a series of 18 carved stones by artist James Winnett that can be found at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare...
January 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
The Stones of the Hollow Hill are a series of 18 carved stones by artist James Winnett that can be found at Kerdiffstown Park near Naas, County Kildare...
In the south (summer), the scene is one of destruction following the 1538 dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII; the last abbot is executed. In the west (autumn) the Martinmas Fair, the largest medieval fair in the East Midlands is in full swing; the Priory appears as a ruin.
December 3, 2024 at 11:40 AM
In the south (summer), the scene is one of destruction following the 1538 dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII; the last abbot is executed. In the west (autumn) the Martinmas Fair, the largest medieval fair in the East Midlands is in full swing; the Priory appears as a ruin.
The panel to the north (winter) shows a scene before the Priory - a land of caves, ancient trees and the wodewose, the wild man of the forest. In the east (spring) the Priory's construction is shown with the day-to-day life of the monks and labourers; a utopian vision of bakers, beehives and beasts.
December 3, 2024 at 11:40 AM
The panel to the north (winter) shows a scene before the Priory - a land of caves, ancient trees and the wodewose, the wild man of the forest. In the east (spring) the Priory's construction is shown with the day-to-day life of the monks and labourers; a utopian vision of bakers, beehives and beasts.
The stone appears as a curious artefact, the four faces functioning as chapters in the story of the site in which it stands. A series of arches above each panel depict the agricultural labours of the four seasons, interspersed with key figures who shaped the events unfolding below...
December 3, 2024 at 11:40 AM
The stone appears as a curious artefact, the four faces functioning as chapters in the story of the site in which it stands. A series of arches above each panel depict the agricultural labours of the four seasons, interspersed with key figures who shaped the events unfolding below...
The Lenton Priory Stone, 2018. A large cube of stone with four intricately carved panels stands in a small park at the site of the former Lenton Priory, a colossal 12th century abbey which stood south of Nottingham until its destruction in 1538...
December 3, 2024 at 11:40 AM
The Lenton Priory Stone, 2018. A large cube of stone with four intricately carved panels stands in a small park at the site of the former Lenton Priory, a colossal 12th century abbey which stood south of Nottingham until its destruction in 1538...
Excavations in the cave found 18 early medieval carved stones along with several stone carvings on the walls of the cave. The cave is still a place of pilgrimage today.
November 30, 2024 at 8:38 AM
Excavations in the cave found 18 early medieval carved stones along with several stone carvings on the walls of the cave. The cave is still a place of pilgrimage today.