Rebuilder Tapestry

By Paivi Suomi on March 2, 2013

LouLou Morris, one of the regulars to our local Stitch and Bitch group that meets on Monday evenings at The Park Tavern in Chichester, is also a tapestry weaver. Recently she was commissioned to weave a tapestry for the Chichester Cathedral to celebrate the rebuilding of the cathedral spire.

Artist Statement
Loulou Morris
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the foundations of past generations. You will be called the Rebuilder of Broken Walls and the Restorer of Streets Where People live” Isaiah 58:12

Although the theme of my residency is linked to the collapse and subsequent rebuilding of the Cathedral spire, I have chosen to use the prophetic words to explore the idea of “rebuilding” in other ways – as I believe they were intended. There is much to celebrate in the reconstruction of a building; there is even more to celebrate in the regeneration of a people, the renewal of relationships or the healing of an individual. All these strands have been in my mind as I have chosen imagery and words to be included in the tapestry that I shall be weaving during the residency. The act of weaving – creating both imagery and surface at the same time – is wonderful to partake in, as spectator or maker. First there is emptiness, then warp as the foundation and then weft builds the structure and tells the story. Tapestry weaving is a slow and careful art in a fast world. There are no instant results.

Tapestry Artist Rebuilds New Spire
Halfunderstood Blogspot
How long will it take to complete? Loulou estimates about 4 months. So follow on to LouLou’s blogspot to watch the continued progress of this tapestry.