Over the next 2 months Shetland will be host to two collections of large textile art panels which have travelled up from Devon, having toured many cathedrals and churches around the UK. Threads through Prayer & Creation will be located in various churches around the islands.
Textile artist Jacqui Parkinson introduces her work: “My focus is on creating powerful images on a large scale together with fine detail and intimacy through the stitched line. I usually use dyes, vibrant silks, metallic leathers and gold leaf. My Christian faith is the creative trigger in most of my work. I aim to create beautiful panels for everyone’s enjoyment. My work is designed to catch the eye and set you thinking.”
One of her collections, on the theme of Creation, is located in St Magnus Episcopal Church, Greenfield Place, Lerwick and open daily until 20th October from 9am – 5pm. Jacqui says, “For thousands of years, people have been inspired by the Creation story. I love it. It’s awe-inspiring yet fun, unimaginable in scope but brought down to a very human scale.”
The second collection is on the theme of Prayer and will tour the islands.
“Prayer is all about establishing a personal relationship with God, revealing our feelings and thoughts to a most reliable friend. It is a relationship which is constantly being renewed and explored.”
The Prayer panels can be seen in the following locations:
Lerwick Methodist Church, Hillhead: until 11th Sept: 9-12 Mon, Tue, Thur-Sat. 10-1 Wed & Sun. 7-9 28th Aug & 9th Sept.
St John’s Kirk, Baltasound, Unst: 16th-22nd Sept, times advertised locally.
Whiteness Methodist Chapel, 10am-4pm 28th & 29th Sept with Harvest crafts.
Bridge End Kirk, Burra: 1st-4th Oct 10am-4pm with Wool Week craft display.
Whalsay Kirk Hall, nr fire station: 7th-11th Oct 2-5pm.
Parish Development Worker, Michele Simms, who is coordinating the Shetland tour, says: “The Threads through Prayer & Creation exhibitions are free, open to all and refreshments are available at most venues. This is a great example of the churches across the denominations working together to offer hospitality and the chance to engage with beautiful art.”
More about the artist and her work can be found at www.jacqui-textile.com