My apologies for the delay in blogging about the textiles at the exhibition in Chester Cathedral. I decided I would complete some pieces of work early so it would free up some time next month. Having spent a lot of time on a computer each day I really didn't want to use the computer in the evening.
The exhibition has 44 large panels created by Jacqui Parkinson over a 10 year period. I've shown the Threads through Creation before so today I'll show the panels made for the Threads through the Cross. Unfortunately the very top of the panels may have some glare as there were lights immediately above the panels.
Panel 1.
This panel shows two parts of the story seperated by 9 months. It shows the annunciation and Mary holding baby Jesus. At the bottom of the panel is a lamb. The same lamb appears on the last panel of Threads through Creation.
Gabriel's wings are made of gilded silk, with real gold leaf laid onto the silk unevenly to give an interesting texture.
At the lower right corner there is a Goldfinch. These birds appear in many medieval and renaissance painting of Mary and baby Jesus. The reason for that may be because the bird has a line of gold across its wings, a symbol of kingship.
Panel 2.
This panel shows the shepherds being told about the baby and being told 'do not be afraid'. The angels are a little bit difficult to see due to the lights. Jacqui has a so made the shepherds hair stand on end to show their fear.
At the bottom of the panel there is a white goose. Geese make good guard dogs making a lot of noise if intruders appear. The goose represents light and vigilance. They would have made a great deal of noise in this situation.
I liked how the shepherds hair had been made.
Panel 3.
Another night scene, this time with the three wise men or 'magi' Their studies had led them to believe a special king would be born and so set out on their journey.
I loved all the colour in this panel and it has a dense design. The robes are very heavily textured. The stars are made of silk covered in aluminium leaf.
At the bottom of the panel is an owl. Owl's are a symbol of wisdom and intelligence, plus they see well in the dark.
Panel 4
For 30 years Jesus had an ordinary life but was then launched into the spotlight. Before he starts his public work he goes to John to be baptised. In this panel the Trinity is in action. Jesus is in the water, the Holy Spirit is in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father is declaring his love for his son.
Jacqui Parkinson has put a tree in this panel and panel 5 to reference panels in Thread through Creation as she views it as continuing the theme of choice.
The bird at the bottom of the panel is a Kingfisher. These tiny birds fly low over running water. Often all you see is the flash of colour as they fly on. It is a symbol of new beginnings.
Panel 5
Following his baptism Jesus enters the wilderness for fourty days and fourty nights. He is tested during this time by Satan. In this panel the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and evil is easily in reach but Jesus does not listen to the words of the snake.
The bird at the bottom of the panel is a Blackbird. The blackbird is associated with temptation, lust and desire.
Panel 6
In this panel Jesus, Peter, James and John have gone up a high mountain. The disciples see Jesus transformed, 'lit up' from inside. They observe the change in him.
The bird on this panel is a cygnet which may seem unattractive when young but transforms into a lovely pure white swan.
Panel 7
The time frame has moved forward to the start of the last week of Jesus' life. He enters Jerusalem like a king but riding on a donkey. The crowds have heard of his arrival and have come out to see him. He is dressed in a royal purple robe and has a gold halo.
The bird at the bottom of the panel is a woodpecker. The woodpeckers drumming against a tree can be heard over a good distance and it is possible that the crowd drummed out their praises.
I love seeing all the quilting and stitching that went into all these panels.
Panel 8
Jesus enters the Temple in Jerusalem and turns out the money lenders and merchants to restore the Temple to a house of God.
The bird at the bottom of the panel is a pigeon or dove. They are a symbol of new life and new hope to everyone. Doves are the traditional symbol of peace, love, innocence and hope.
Panel 9
This panel depicts the story of the woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and then dried them with her hair.
The bird in this panel is a Macaw flying to freedom. These birds are bright and bold just as the women who washed his feet is bright and bold.
Panel 10
Another panel of washing feet but this time it is Jesus who is washing the feet of the disciples. Jesus looks small but he has allowed himself to become small in the act of service.
The bird in this panel is the cockerell and a sign of what will come with the new day.
Panel 11
This panel represents the Passover meal which is often called the Last Supper. Jesus offers bread to all 12 disciples
The bird in this panel is the cuckoo which is seen as a traitor in the nest. The cuckoo lays her eggs in other birds nests and leaves her offspring to be reared by the owners of the nest. Judas is the cuckoo at the last supper.
Panel 12
In the Garden of Gethsemane. Here Jesus chooses Peter, James and John to be with him. jesus wants them to stay awake with him and pray but they fall asleep. Judas enters the Garden with the armed guards.
The bird in this panel is a North American red-winged blackbird in flight, with the flash of red suggesting danger
Panel 13
This panel is of the Crucifixion. This was a common Roman form of punishment. While Jesus hangs on the cross there is three hours of darkness in the afternoon and an earthquake opens up the tombs of the dead.
The bird in this panel is a robin. One legend says that the robin's breast is red because when Jesus was on the road to crucifixion, a robin plucked a thorn from his head and a drop of his blood fell onto the bird's chest turning it red.
Panel 14.
In this panel Mary is cradling the dead body of Jesus affter he has been taken down from the cross.
The bird in the panel is a magpie. In many cultures black and white are the traditional colours of death. The magpie seems to be in mourning in its black and white attire.
Panel 15
Two women go to the tomb of Jesus early on Sunday morning to anoint the dead body but the garden is empty, no guards in sight. An angel appears and rolls the stone away and tells them the tomb is empty. The angel sends the women away to tell people that Jesus has risen from the dead.
The bird on the panel is a peacock. Early Christains adopted the peacock as a symbol of immortality.
Panel 16.
Peter had disowned Jesus and was feeling guilty. He had gone back to fishing but had caught nothing until a stranger on the beach tells him to cast his net on the other side of the boat. His net filled with fish and he realises the stranger is Jesus. Jesus gives him the task of 'fishing for men and women'
The bird on the panel is a Heron. Heron's are excellent fishers of fish, being focused, attentive and quick moving.
Panel 17.
A mountain top experience where the 11 disciples see Jesus in a different light. Jesus gave them a job to make disciples of all nations. After, the disciples watch as Jesus ascends into heaven.
The bird on the panel is a lark. Larks fly very high and continue singing as if ascending to heaven.
Panel 18.
This panel depicts 120 of his followers waiting for him to receive his promise to them. Here they receive the Holy Spirit.
The bird in this panel is the mythical phonenix, a symbol of fire and divinity. It dies and is born again, rising from the ashes.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing these panels. I still have the third part of the exhibition to show you but that will probably be early next week as I need to sort the photos first. I really enjoyed seeing the panels in Chester Cathedral. There was room to stand back from them to enjoy the overall effect and also room to look at them up close to see the small details.
Today has been very hot here in London. I had planned to do some gardening earlier but it was too hot for me. So now it's cooler and I'm going to do some dead heading and tidying whilst I've got the chance.
Take care
Lyndsey.
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