The Pilgrim’s Progress

We made Despair and Promise in response to a tapestry/watercolour designed by Edward Bawden, which in turn was inspired by John Bunyan’s 17th-century allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress.

The figure of Despair depicts the Giant Despair from Doubting Castle. He is surrounded by the bones and skulls of people he has already put an end to. The chained lions from the Palace Beautiful guard the base of Despair. Apollyon can be found on the back – "a foul fiend – clothed with scales like a fish, wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, out of his belly came fire and smoke, his mouth was like a mouth of a lion." A dog returns to his vomit at the base of the backside. The red line depicts the journey taken by the Pilgrim.

The figure of Promise depicts the Pilgrim fending off the arrows fired by Apollyon. The tree of life hands them some healing leaves to treat their wounds. Entangled in the tree's roots is the key called Promise, which helped the Pilgrim escape from the giant Despair. Fungi grow on the enchanted ground which the Pilgrim was warned not to sleep on. The golden face of the cat represents the celestial city which the Pilgrim is journeying too.  

Despair and Promise were exhibited alongside the work of other artists for the Edward Bawden and Me exhibition at The Higgins Bedford. The museum acquired the work in 2025.