By Genevieve Dally

Inspired by the story of Blodeuwedd from the Mabinogion, this collage asks us to see a familiar Welsh story from a different perspective.

Blodeuwedd is created from flowers to become Lleu’s wife. She falls in love with another man and plots to kill her husband. As punishment, she is transformed into an owl.

When women from the Thrive group explored the story, they questioned whose version we usually hear. What might the story look like from Blodeuwedd’s point of view? Created to be someone else’s wife and trapped in a life she did not choose, could becoming an owl represent freedom rather than punishment?

Genevieve’s collage explores this idea. Flowers give way to feathers as Blodeuwedd transforms from a sorrowful bride into a fierce owl – able to fly, defend herself and choose her own path.

The artwork reclaims an ancient story as one of survival, independence and finding the strength to begin again.

Click the images to explore the artwork