Extraordinary Time I

This set of six tapestry panels explores the interweaving of traditional seasons of the liturgical year and more ancient mythological themes. The church seasons are represented in the verticality of the panels and the mythological themes flow horizontally. Motifs and symbols, both Christian and mythological, reach across the spaces to connect the panels. This work was purchased by William and Linda Steelman for the reading room at Trask Library, Andover Newton Theological School. Each panel is 18″ x 60″.  2000

Advent: The purple and blue of advent introduce the beginning of the church year. Four advent candles appear along with a dormant twig that will later blossom. As in many ancient traditions, the sun is underground waiting to be reborn. The rivers of air and water begin to flow and will continue across all the panels.

Christmas: The six-pointed Christmas star appears in the sky. The traditional Christmas colors of red and green make an appearance along with the mandorla, symbol of the birth of divinity. The fish signify the living water, which is a symbol of Christ. The sun begins its climb from the winter solstice. In this panel we see how ancient pre-Christian symbols are appropriated and reassigned Christian meanings.

Lent: The black Tau cross, the oldest form of the cross, dominates the scene, echoed in the black sky and partially submerging the sun. Red continues to remind us of Christmas, but becomes here more associated with blood.

Easter: In the Easter panel, the sun reaches a higher position, warming both the sky and earth. The dormant twig of Advent blooms with promise. The rivers of air and water continue to flow, even as a line of black and a bit of blood red reminds us that not all is perfect.

Pentecost: The flame of Pentecost balances the cross of Lent and the sun reaches its apex. The world comes alive with the spirit of both creation and incarnation. The rivers of air, water and blood continue to flow.

Future: The Future panel takes us out of the liturgical year, indicating that we are not in a perpetual loop, but that there is purpose and direction to our lives. The flame of Pentecost is transposed to become the tree of the future, growing out of the river of life. The sun leads off the edge toward the unknown.

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