The fernie curse

Submitted by Fernie Forge on Fri, August 15, 2014

“The Fernie curse” by Sandra Barrett

The angry sky above Mount Hosmer and the Ghostrider captures the mood of the piece. Fernie is on fire. The Elk River reflects light from the fire with 13 unlucky bubbles rising to the surface of the flood water raging beyond the frame. Hand made felt in dark, brooding tones contrasts with the toxic, rusted steel of the mountains. The forged steel three dimensional mask is inspired by Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”. A coal necklace adorns the androgynous mask and depicts the horror of the curse. There is synergy between felt and steel. The picture illustrates the story of the legend and was created by blacksmith Sandra Barrett of Fernie Forge to commemorate 50 years of the curse raising ceremony in August 2014. The work is currently exhibited at the Fernie Museum.