From 19 January, Sheffield Cathedral is hosting ‘Threads Through Creation’, a stunning exhibition of twelve embroidered silk panels that explore the story of creation. The scale of the panels and the skill and artistry on display is extraordinary.
Touring twenty cathedrals, the exhibition has already inspired hundreds of thousands of people. The panels are huge – 1.5m/8ft high by as much as 4m/13ft wide, each individually crafted using layers of silk, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers and gold leaf, miles of thread – and more than eight million stitches!
The exhibition has been created by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson, who took her inspiration from the poetic verses of Genesis, the first book of the Bible. Her astonishing stitching is attractive and eye-catching and designed to be accessible to people 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, highly engaging for everyone – and great fun for children too with many delightful quirky details such as fanciful creatures and animals including frogs, flamingos, tadpoles and an elephant which have been embroidered into the panels.
Jacqui has created an exhibition with a vibrant narrative and spectacular designs. She says: My aim was to capture the wonderful extravagance of the Creation story and to delight people who see 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.”
Dean of Sheffield, the Very Revd Abi Thompson said: ‘We’re delighted to be hosting this wonderful exhibition. Jacqui has created something truly beautiful, and whatever your age or background, whether you are concerned about climate change and the damage to creation, or you are a lover of art and textile work, there is something here to inspire and challenge. We look forward to welcoming all people to come, look and experience the telling of an extraordinary story through colour and pattern.
Threads Through Creation runs until 3 March. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Visit the www.sheffielfcathedral.org and/or the cathedral’s social platforms for visitor information, opening hours and details of special tours related to Threads Through Creation.