Inspired by the ancient landscape of Derbyshire, this evocative painting takes The Nine Ladies—a Neolithic stone circle—as its starting point, transforming the historic site into a richly symbolic vision of Britain, mythology and change.

At the heart of the composition, the stone circle appears suspended in the sky, imagined as a reflection or vision viewed from beneath the surface of a lake. This references the Celtic sí, the mystical Otherworld traditionally believed to be accessible through bodies of water, and adds an intriguing sense of mystery and enchantment to the landscape.

Below, nine female stone figures form a circle, each dressed in Victorian clothing and weeping, representing the passing of an era in British history. At the centre, their tears fall towards a fire which transforms into a phoenix—a timeless symbol of death, renewal and rebirth. The result is a captivating and thought-provoking work that brings together ancient mythology, British history and the enduring power of the landscape.