Prayer Cloth: Hope measures 99 x 1016 cm. Hand piecing, hand
applique, hand embroidery quilting with red cotton button thread in a back
stitch.
An original quilted textile made
with three layers of material. The front layer is a single piece of goldenrod
dyed cotton. A nine-patch that includes black
cotton fabrics arranged into a plus sign or Greek cross is appliqued to the
centre. Such a cross shape represents
balance, the four elements (air, fire, water, earth) and the four cardinal
directions and is an ancient symbol for cosmic harmony and union that predates Christianity.
The interior layer is wool batting; the
third layer or back of the quilt is white cotton. The
quilt is almost a perfect square, but not quite. The imperfection of this piece adds an
uncertainty to it that speaks to the vulnerability of our existence. Because of the strong contrast between cross
and surround, this piece gives a focal point for meditation. This quilt was made to help you.
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| prayer cloth: hope 2nd side |
Prayer Cloth: Hope is quilted with red button thread in a back stitch, so that both sides of the quilt are marked with a strong safety net/grid of red thread. Red thread is one of the most important and well-known protection symbols world-wide.
For those who have lost hope, here it is. Here is a safe place where we can be still. The red thread grid is a safety net; the black cross is an ancient symbol.
Shown two times in public. 2025 in The Sky a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Sudbury and 2026 in Quilts are Journals, a solo exhibition at 100 percent silk shop and gallery, Toronto
In private collection.
Quilt number 118
