‘Exquisite’ textile art tours Shetland’s kirks
An exquisite display of textile art is currently on display in Shetland’s churches until October 2026, writes Alex Purbrick.
Angels and The Journey are a selection of textile banners created by English textile artist Jacqui Parkinson.
Although her work is mostly exhibited in cathedrals across England, Shetland’s churches are the only location in Scotland that has shown her work for the past two years.
She is known for her large, vibrant textile panels inspired by Bible verses and stories which are the cloth equivalent of stained-glass windows in their colour and beauty. In the grand English cathedrals, they hang as cloth portals invoking the viewer to contemplate powerful themes such as creation, resurrection and revelation within the Bible.
But in the small Shetland kirks they carry an intimacy that invites those who see them to sit in contemplation and reflection in a sacred, quiet space, sheltered from the elements.
Cloth is an elemental part of being human; we are wrapped in it upon birth and enshrouded in it when we die and it carries these human stories which artists such as Jacqui weave into the cloth through thread.
Jacqui started making textile banners after her first husband, Rob Frost, died in 2007. Grief became her first series of work where she stitched words expressing her feelings surrounding her loss and sadness on antique women’s handkerchiefs.
Since then, she has used her Christian faith to create many more large textile banners which she hopes will be for everyone’s enjoyment.
Monica King has been coordinating the showing of Jacqui’s work in Shetland for the past two years after seeing her work in the cathedrals and asked Jacqui if Shetland could display some of them.
The banners have been on a journey across the isles from Papa Stour to Whalsay, Fetlar, Unst, Ollaberry, Scalloway and are currently in Lerwick churches until continuing their pilgrimage to other churches throughout Shetland.
Monica expressed how “the churches are inviting anyone whatever faith or non-faith a person may be to come into a safe, welcoming space to appreciate the beauty of the banners.”
Entering into a quiet space of stillness is vital in this manic, fast paced world we live in and the beauty of Jacqui’s art is that her imagery is universal and open to all regardless of spiritual creed.
When the touring exhibition finishes in October, they will then be on display semi-permanently across seven kirks in Shetland which are also churches that provide comfort stops with refreshments and shelter.
Frances Richardson has taken on the role of co-ordinating the movement of the panels around Shetland and hopes that “from April 2027 the panels could possibly go to schools. Young children take a very different response from adults because the art is more visual than a page of text. Hopefully they will get inspiration from them and create their own textile pieces.”
The Journey, currently on display in Lerwick Methodist Church, are ten panels about the last stages of the journey of Jesus, from immense pain and sadness to joy and glory.
Each panel contains bright red, symbolizing the blood of Christ, some of the fabrics slashed like wounds, others the blood of life force, a powerful image reminding us, we all have red blood regardless of race, colour or creed.
The Angels banners, on display in St Magnus Church in Lerwick, convey an all-inclusive message of peace and love for humanity.
A model of angel wings contained within a banner made from gold silk organza, braid and beading is almost ethereal yet serves as the real link angels can bring to people between this world and another dimension.
Take the time to visit this beautiful collection of spiritual art before they are gone and reflect on the journey they are on just as we can reflect on our own life journey by visiting the special, intimate kirks around Shetland that offer everyone a quiet space to be still.
Jacqui’s aim is to touch the lives of others and for people to take from her art whatever they want and need to take from it. Her art is a celebration of life and of her Christian faith which is inspiring and beautiful to witness.
The Journey is on display at:
- Lerwick Methodist Church, 6 – 29 July
- St Magnus Church, Lerwick, 30 July – 21 August
- Fetlar Kirk, 22 – 28 August
- Walls Methodist Church, 7 -18 September
- Scalloway Church of Scotland, 21 – 25 September
- St Magnus Church, Lerwick, 26 September – 4 October
Angels is on display at:
- St Magnus Church, Lerwick, 6 – 30 July
- Walls Methodist Church, 1 – 15 August
- Haroldswick Methodist Church, 18 -31 August
- Ireland Methodist Church, 3 – 10 September
- St Magnus Church, Lerwick, 11 – 25 September
- Whiteness Methodist Church, 26 -27 September
- Whalsay Kirk Hall, 29 September – 4 October
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
