Sheffield Cathedral - Threads through Creation
Spectacular scenes in fabric. An exhibition by Jacqui Parkinson. Looking at the creation story through to the banishment of Adam and Eve.
About the Exhibition
Inspired by the poetic verses of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, textile artist Jacqui Parkinson reimagines this wonderful story in a vibrant combination of layers of silk, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers and gold leaf, miles of thread—and more than eight million stitches!
The panels are huge—1.5m (8ft) high by as much as 4m (13ft) wide— and vary in appearance from elemental pieces illustrating the first ‘days’ to highly complex and lush work as we enter the Garden of Eden.
The work is eye-catching and attractive, designed to be accessible for viewers of all ages. Whilst the serious message of God’s good earth and man’s impact on it underlies the entire exhibition, the panels are bold and exuberant, with many delightful quirky details such as both accurate and fanciful creatures embroidered into the stories.
Speaking about how she works, Jacqui said:
“I start simply with antique bedsheets, which hold their own tales of life and death. Then I gradually build up my stories by quilting the sheets and painting them. Once that is done, I add layers of silk. I stitch them into place using a free motion sewing machine, that allows me in effect to draw in stitching. I sometimes add gold leaf and metallic leathers as finishing touches, overall creating great richness as a feast for the eye!”
“My aim is to capture the wonderful extravagance of the Creation story and to delight people who view it. Despite Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, it remains a story of love and promise, something we can all do with these days.”
More information can be found here:-
www.sheffieldcathedral.org/whats-on/2023/1/19/threads-thr...
www.sheffieldcathedral.org/whats-on/2024/2/12/sheff-cath-...
Here is Jacqui’ website. Full of colour with her exhibition photos of the past and future projects, well worth looking at:-
www.jacqui-textile.com/creation/
www.jacqui-textile.com/revelation/
www.jacqui-textile.com/the-cross/
Sheffield Cathedral - Threads through Creation
Spectacular scenes in fabric. An exhibition by Jacqui Parkinson. Looking at the creation story through to the banishment of Adam and Eve.
About the Exhibition
Inspired by the poetic verses of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, textile artist Jacqui Parkinson reimagines this wonderful story in a vibrant combination of layers of silk, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers and gold leaf, miles of thread—and more than eight million stitches!
The panels are huge—1.5m (8ft) high by as much as 4m (13ft) wide— and vary in appearance from elemental pieces illustrating the first ‘days’ to highly complex and lush work as we enter the Garden of Eden.
The work is eye-catching and attractive, designed to be accessible for viewers of all ages. Whilst the serious message of God’s good earth and man’s impact on it underlies the entire exhibition, the panels are bold and exuberant, with many delightful quirky details such as both accurate and fanciful creatures embroidered into the stories.
Speaking about how she works, Jacqui said:
“I start simply with antique bedsheets, which hold their own tales of life and death. Then I gradually build up my stories by quilting the sheets and painting them. Once that is done, I add layers of silk. I stitch them into place using a free motion sewing machine, that allows me in effect to draw in stitching. I sometimes add gold leaf and metallic leathers as finishing touches, overall creating great richness as a feast for the eye!”
“My aim is to capture the wonderful extravagance of the Creation story and to delight people who view it. Despite Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, it remains a story of love and promise, something we can all do with these days.”
More information can be found here:-
www.sheffieldcathedral.org/whats-on/2023/1/19/threads-thr...
www.sheffieldcathedral.org/whats-on/2024/2/12/sheff-cath-...
Here is Jacqui’ website. Full of colour with her exhibition photos of the past and future projects, well worth looking at:-
www.jacqui-textile.com/creation/
www.jacqui-textile.com/revelation/
www.jacqui-textile.com/the-cross/