New exhibition at Ely Cathedral tells story of the Creation

Ely Cathedral’s Threads through Creation exhibition, which begins today (Wednesday), tells the story of the Creation using 12 large embroidered silk panels.

Running until July 26, the works were inspired by the first pages of the Bible. Textile artist Jacqui Parkinson reimagines this amazing story in silks, metallic leathers and gold leaf, and more than eight million stitches.

Jacqui, a Christian, explained: “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 – a feast for the eye!”

For more on textile artist Jacqui Parkinson, visit jacqui-textile.com. To see what else Ely Cathedral has coming up, go to elycathedral.org.