Danni Bradford Studio

“SOUTH WEST CONTEMPORARY ARTIST OF THE YEAR”

wildlifeart

“Golden Garden Spider”

danni bradfordComment

I’ve always had the deepest respect for all manner of living creatures. Insects and bugs have always been truly fascinating to me, but for some reason, like many people I have a rather intense and irrational, fear of spiders.
My fear of them even played an integral part of my university dissertation and graduating art show where I explored fear, the dark side of fairytales and folklore.
My most memorable and terrifying encounter with a spider was with a ‘Huntsman’ whilst travelling Australia in my early twenties. Roughly the size of an outstretched hand, she clung stealthily to the underside of a sketchbook I’d just retrieved from under the bed in our camper van whilst we camped deep out in the backcountry of Queensland. I didnt sleep well for the rest of trip!

Despite my fears, I’ve learnt to co-exist alongside them a bit more comfortably these days.
I am also awed by them… after all, they are an integral part of our delicate garden eco-systems helping to maintain harmony and balance. They eat the flys and mosquitos and the birds eat them! I am honoured to welcome them into my little garden, and as the old proverb goes…

“If you want to live and thrive, let a spider run alive”

‘Golden Garden Spider’ Measures 63cm x 63cm, gilded in 24kt Goldleaf in reverse onto glass and framed in a bespoke Ash Frame Contact the studio for more information on this piece.