Stone and Flower: on Kathleen Raine and Barbara Hepworth

Join Kirsten MacQuarrie and Christina Riley in conversation at The Nature Library about a partnership formed by the natural world.

'... rocks weather, ferns wither, winds blow, times go,
I write the sun's Love, and the stars' No.'
Kathleen Raine, "Night in Martindale," Stone and Flower (1943)

Kathleen Raine's first poetry collection Stone and Flower (1943) was illustrated by Barbara Hepworth, bringing together two great artistic minds for a collaboration formed by the natural world.

On Friday 14th June, Kathleen Raine’s birthday, join The Nature Library's founder Christina Riley and novelist Kirsten MacQuarrie for an evening of conversation about a fascinating partnership which encapsulates Raine and Hepworth’s precision and passion. Kirsten–whose upcoming novel Remember the Rowan (Ringwood, 2024) is inspired by Raine's Scottish roots, will highlight poetry and prose that reflects Raine's spiritually-infused relationship with nature and explore the elements that shaped women’s lives in wartime, while Christina will share insights from Hepworth's work and our relationship to stone, sharing pieces from the library that further evoke Stone and Flower's balance between vulnerability and strength.

Guests will also have the opportunity to turn the pages of a rare first edition of Stone and Flower as well as being introduced to a diverse array of other work by Raine and Hepworth all exploring growth and groundedness, flower and stone. 

The Nature Library is easily accessible by train from Glasgow and Ayr. On street parking is available. 

This event has ground floor access. If you have any questions about attending this event or would prefer to book your ticket via email, please contact Christina at thenaturelib@gmail.com.