Aglæcwif - Mothers of Monsters
Rooted in the legendary figure of Grendel’s mother from Beowulf, Aglæcwif reimagines this maligned "monster" as a potent symbol of nature and untamed power. Often described as an "aglæcwif"—a creature of immense strength and mystery—Grendel’s mother represents a force deeply connected to the land, vilified through the lens of colonizing narratives. This work seeks to reclaim her story, honoring her as a fierce, generative presence that echoes the beauty and resilience of wild California landscapes.
Part of the series Gravid: Mothers of Monsters, this piece celebrates the fullness of creative potential, the chaotic churn of gestation, and the transformative force of creation. Drawing inspiration from the fog-draped forests of coastal California, it evokes a sense of the sublime—of towering oaks adorned in lace lichen and the enduring, sculptural forms of manzanita trees.
Constructed from rescued industrial rope, an aluminum frame, and fragments of discarded retail fixtures, the materials speak to transformation and renewal. Central to the piece is a manzanita root, salvaged from a storm-toppled tree cherished by a dear friend, further rooting the work in themes of connection and continuity. By giving new life to these castoffs, Aglæcwif celebrates nature’s ability to regenerate and reminds us of the profound power in what is often misunderstood or feared.