Thresholds, RSA University of Reading, MA final Degree Show

September 10th – 13th, 2026

Linden Seed Fascination (2026),

Linden seeds with fruit, glass headed pins.

Each less than 8 cm

Linden or Lime tree (Tilia) actively absorbs air and soil pollution and is one of the most effective and resilient trees for urban green spaces. They act as powerful environmental scrubbers. With their textured leaves which have a sticky wax layer they trap dust, air pollutants, filter dangerous particulate matter and through their root system hold onto heavy metals stopping reentry into the water table.

They were considered sacred across Eastern Europe and are a symbol of femininity, love and peace and protection in folklore and so were often planted for ceremonies in villages and towns.

The seeds have a curious form with fruits (one, two three or more) that extend on a long antenna, their seed leaf (bracht) is slightly curved to give it easier dispersal, they seem kind of animated. They look almost alien and are to me a fascinating form. I pinned them making them into a little fascinator hat: the ‘hat pins’ echo and repeat the fruits in a strange kind of conversation. I wrote this piece shortly after making the first one.

Linden Seed Fascination

Await the waking

voice to reach its

keen antenna of perception

making conversation with the beaded

pins, tapping through coded dot and dash.