Red pointed hats

My social media bubble has been full of red pointy hats for the last few weeks. Other people claim they’ve seen nothing about them.

Thousands of years ago, slaves were given a red hat when they were freed. Versions of the Phrygian hat, pileus or liberty cap have been worn during various times since then. In 1979 I found an engraving from the 1790s which I used to illustrate an A level needlework essay. The people caricatured were wearing red hats and a thin red ribbon around their necks.

The same characters who were offended by pink hats with cat ears a few years ago are complaining about red pointy hats now. Apparently the hats shouldn’t be red. Allegedly they’re just a protest uniform and they’re not enough practical effort. Money raised from knitting pattern sales has been donated to families affected by immigration raids.

White Poppy

Linocut of a white poppy
Lino block with sketch

When this lino block was first cut, a long time ago, it was going to be printed in pale subtle colours. Something on the news the other day while choosing inks made me reach for scarlet and emerald green instead.

The block is similar to an unfinished print from even longer ago. As a teenager I liked the idea of nature reclaiming damaged land. Maybe it’s still a nice idea. The white poppy has symbolised pacifism for nearly a century. Weapons are presumably more profitable but mediation and peaceful resolution has a preferable outcome.