The Cheddar Hellcat

A strange and mysterious beast native to Somerset and wider Wessex, a Hunky Punk is a colloquial name for the stone carvings found around these parts.

Usually found in their natural habitat clinging to the top of stone buildings, these beasts are often seen carved on the buttresses of Late Gothic churches, keeping an eye on all the passers-by below, and are a bit like gargoyles, or more accurately, grotesques.

They are often a mythological creature, demon, or strange humanoid with exaggerated and sometimes comical expressions, and it's thought that they represent the balance of good and evil to remind worshippers that they walk the line between piety and temptation.

I've taken these prints from the original linocut of a hand printed wallpaper I made as a repeat pattern, taking inspiration from the frightful creatures to be seen around the county. They are seen amongst another motif with a strong connection to Somerset, the apple tree.

Framed off from the original linocut and printed on handmade Hatakami paper from Nepal, the print measures roughly 18 x 18cm (deckle edges are irregular so measurements are approximate).

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