It’s ironic that on this dark, wet and miserable January day that l should be talking about light and colour but, perhaps, it might help cheer us all up!
Those who live in this World Heritage city will know that our parish church is also known as the ‘Lantern of the West’ and that’s because of the large windows that surround the Grade l listed religious building better known as Bath Abbey.
Light shines both in and out and, over the festive period, that has been supplemented with a multi-coloured display of floodlighting.
While that has come to an end, don’t despair, as step inside the church now and you’ll be almost overwhelmed by the a riot of colour surrounding you.
It comes from an astonishing display of twelve huge embroidered panels, inspired by the Book of Genesis, and created by textile artist Jacqui Parkinson.
She ‘revisits’ the first book of the Bible through the display which lines the north and south walls of the nave.
Her wall hangings are made with a vibrant combination of silks, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers and gold leaf – all held in place with eight million stitches.
Jacqui has a national reputation for spectacular large scale work and her exhibitions have been displayed in many cathedrals and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.
This exhibition is touring twenty cathedrals and will be at Bath Abbey through until March 19th.
On the eve of its official opening l caught up with the artist.
