The Snerriblóð Vararfeldr
- ardbeagcrafts
- Feb 17
- 1 min read
This modern-art-inspired vararfeldr is named "Snerriblóð," which translates to "rushing blood", as a reference to the story told within its weave. I created it for an exhibition focusing on Wensleydale sheep, and as such I exclusively used the iconic ringletty wool of this traditional breed.
The naturally-dyed wool forms swirling shapes in shades of blue, white and red, narrating the saga of Viking invaders arriving on the British coast. I utilised natural dyes from indigo, lichen, and madder to depict the Vikings' journey from the sea and up the rivers of Northern England, highlighting their dual legacy of settling and farming, and their notorious raids.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of creating this piece was crafting the "sea" portion of the cloak. I experimented with a vibrant mix of blues, greens, and lilacs, which came together to form an organic ocean scene that truly captured the essence of the water.
Throughout the exhibition, "Snerriblóð" was displayed in London, Yorkshire, and Scotland, allowing a wide audience to connect with its historical narrative. This was an exciting opportunity to consider vararfeldir not just as relics of historical archaeology, but as dynamic art forms. The large, dramatic cloaks can still serve as canvases to tell stories on, and allow for the creation of new, modern works of art using traditional techniques.
