"Cunning folk", or "white witches", practiced across Europe until at least the early twentieth century. They provided treatment and cures for people and livestock. The images depicted in "Sator, Arepo, Tenet, Opera, Rotas" are from magic charms found buried under barns and stables in England and Wales, as recently as 1900. They were written as protection for livestock, against disease, predators, and bad luck. 

The tapestry border lists all statutes against witchcraft in English common law. The last one was repealed in 1951.

Knotted tapestry

cotton, linen, synthetic yarns

2012

165 x 177 cm