17 September 2024
The exhibition, which comprises 14 large-scale textile panels, transforms the recently refurbished Victoria Methodist Church in the Bristol District space into a captivating gallery. Each piece is crafted from repurposed bed sheets, dyed and embellished to create striking visual narratives that interpret the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation.
Jacqui, whose background is in performance art, explained her inspiration: "I think you can see the epic in it. You can see the drama because it's a story unfolding. The size of the pieces are almost like the backdrops to a theatre set."
The artist's choice of materials is particularly poignant.
"I always work on old bed sheets; linen or cotton ones. I like the idea that these sheets are wrapped around us at our birth and they wrap around us at death. In our life. In between, we have all our good moments and our sad moments in them. For me, they are a symbol of our lives."
Jaqui Parkinson
This symbolism is central to Jacqui's artistic vision she explains, "I like to think that our ordinary lives are important to God and He transforms them, He makes them something more, He makes them colourful." The transformation is evident in the exhibition, where once-plain bed sheets now burst with colour and intricate details.
The Revd Patrick Stonehewer, the minister at Victoria Methodist Church, notes the exhibition's timely relevance. "I think this exhibition speaks to the current time. Dark things are going on in the world at the moment, but there are expressions of hope. We've got to lay those alongside one another."
While Revelation is often associated with judgement and apocalyptic imagery, Jacqui's interpretation brings out themes of hope and renewal. "For me, it's a book of hope," she says. "This book ends with a new heaven and a new earth. Everything is as at the beginning of Creation – good – and has been made even better."
The exhibition is part of Victoria Methodist Church's ongoing commitment to engage with the arts. As Patrick explains, "Part of our mission here is in the creative arts, not only the visual arts but music and other forms of creative output as well."
Threads Through Revelation is not Jacqui's only biblically-inspired work. She has another exhibition, Threads Through Creation, based on the book of Genesis, currently touring. She is also working on a new series, Threads Through the Cross, which will connect the narratives of creation and revelation through the life of Jesus.
For those interested in experiencing this unique blend of textile art and biblical narrative, Threads Through Revelation offers a fresh perspective on an ancient text. As Jacqui's vibrant panels bring the vivid imagery of Revelation to life, visitors are invited to reflect on themes of transformation, hope and the interplay between the divine and the everyday.
The exhibition stands as a testament to the power of art to illuminate spiritual texts, making the complex and often mysterious book of Revelation accessible in new and thought-provoking ways.
This long-planned exhibition also encompasses related events such as two talks , one at 3.30 and the other one at 7 pm, with Jaqui Parkinson on Saturday 21 September about her work and inspiration. Revd James Morley – the famous Metal Methodist also featured in the latest edition of the Connexion magazine – will lead Metal Compline, prayers exploring the book of Revelation with Metal and Hard Rock music on Saturday 28 September at 7 pm. A meditation in words and music will be offered on Saturday 12 October and services using readings from Revelation and panels of Threads Through Revelation at 10.30 am on Sundays from 1 September until 13 October.
More information on those events here