‘ The long man of Wilmington or Wilmington Giant is a hill figure on the steep slopes of Windover Hill near Wilmington, East Sussex, England. Formerly thought to originate in the Iron Age or even the neolithic period, a 2003 archaeological investigation showed that the figure may have been cut in the Early Modern era – the 16th or 17th century AD. From afar the figure appears to have been carved from the underlying chalk; but the modern figure is formed from white-painted breeze blocks and lime mortar.’I’m really enjoying adding lyrics to my paintings and decided on mountain energy by The Fall.

Annie Mackin

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I am a painter creating ethereal and surreal scenes rich with pagan and medieval allegory, primarily through oil paint. My work explores how ancient stories, legends, and our ancestral connections convey timeless themes of family, memory, and grief in a modern context. Using soft, otherworldly pastels, I aim to offer a sense of ease around complex subjects of loss and nostalgia, inviting viewers to connect with these universal experiences. The East Sussex landscape and the region's seasonal festivals, which honor the cycles of nature and echo ancient pagan traditions, deeply inspire my practice. Memorials, stone circles, and sacred sites frequently appear in my work, grounding it in a sense of timeless reverence. There is a strong female presence throughout, as I draw from the goddesses and heroines of ancient Celtic stories, honoring my Irish and Scottish heritage by celebrating the powerful women of myth and history. In addition to my painting practice, I am the co-founder of the Hastings and St. Leonards-based mother artist collective, Babes in Arms, alongside painter Elizabeth Power. Through this collective, we create spaces for mothers in the arts to connect, exhibit, and support one another’s work.