Southwark Cathedral – Jacqui Parkinson’s Threads through Creation

Southwark Cathedral is the latest cathedral to host textile artist Jacqui Parkinson’s Threads through Creation that tells the creation story in Genesis through eight million stitches.

Threads through Creation by Jacqui Parkinson at Southwark Cathedral

Jacqui spent three years stitching the twelve enormous silk panels that are now on display at Southwark Cathedral.

Inspired by the first pages of the Bible, Jacqui has re-imagined the greatest story ever in silks, metallic leather and gold leaf.

Each panel measures as much as 4 metres in width.

Jacqui said:

“I start with antique bedsheets, which hold their own tales of life and death. I gradually build up my stories by quilting the sheets and painting them. Then I add layers of silk, which I stitch into place using a special free-motion sewing machine which allows me to stitch my ‘drawings’.

Then I add gold leaf and metallic leathers as finishing touches, overall creating great richness.

‘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,’ she added.

For more information and photos click here.