Girl Who Spiralled in Lonesome October Lit

Giants of Albion No. 5 by Simon Ryder / artNucleus

The image is one Simon Ryder’s brilliant ‘Giants of Albion’ chalk on blackboard artworks. I am thrilled that Lonesome October Lit has published another of my pieces, ‘Girl Who Spiralled‘, a flash inspired by Simon’s work. Many, many thanks to wonderful Kate Garrett – probably the busiest woman in the world.

Winchester Cathedral – etching by David Young Cameron

The story mentions coccoliths. I knew nothing about coccoliths until I became involved in 10 Days Winchester, a few years ago. Artist, Simon Ryder – take a look, his work is extraordinary – exhibited his brilliant chalk on blackboard pieces entitled ‘Giants of Albion’. Absolutely amazing great monsters were these coccolith artworks. The detail was incredible. And remember, they were produced in chalk – not a particularly permanent medium, I would think. They floated over the gloom of the cathedral like giant, ghostly jellyfish. Their impact was astounding. You could so easily get lost while looking at them. It was as if the world had been taken over by silence, somehow.

Anyway, coccoliths are elaborate structures, rather as snowflakes are, but are made from calcium carbonate, and are readily fossilised, apparently. They are not something you see in any detail with the naked eye but are part of the deep sea sediment and the main constituent of chalk cliffs.

The story is about change and self-belief. Life is impermanent and, sometimes, it is necessary to ignore practicalities and good sense in order to make our worlds a little bit magical.