THE WINNOWING BASKET: Art, Loot and The Commons

Walking by the Ancestors is a series of illustrations born from the suggestions of Irish cultural heritage and
Inishowen territory, particularly the Harry Percival Swan Collection. Two objects of the collection where of special significance and contributed to give the inspiration for the series: the Liathróid Cailligh (the “Witch ball”) and the Dutchman Log Box, currently on display at the National Museum in Dublin.
In this series the artist investigates the concepts of roots and heritage, mixing and combining references from Celtic territories, Christian and Pre-Christian sacred art, Irish folklore and tradition, as well as elements from her birthplace, cultural identity and personal history, creating an alchemy of symbols and ancestral atmospheres.
Four main pieces, together with studies and preliminary sketches, constitute the series: The Witch Altarpiece, The Shrine of Lunar Age, Saint Bríg and Cumdach of the Irish Saints.

Marianna Bruno (born in Cuneo, 1999) is an Italian visual artist, illustrator and author.
She graduated with honors at Libera Accademia d’Arte Novalia in Alba (Italy) and later moved to Florence where she gained a specialization in printmaking techniques at Bisonte International School for Graphic Arts and Art Foundation.
She published her first book in 2023 (Recherche, Ideestortepaper, Palermo,  IT), selected by IBBY Italia for the Italia Choice Honour List 2024. In 2024 she resulted as one of the young artists selected for the Nuovo Grand Tour program by General Directorate for Contemporary Creativity (Italian Ministry of Culture) and Italian Institute of Culture in Paris. She was one of the selected illustrators for Annual 2025 by Autori di Immagini.
Focusing on the themes of folklore, mythology and primitivism, her work ranges between illustration, writing and visual arts, including collaborations with museums, cultural organizations, theater companies, artist residencies and schools of all grade.