Fancy Free
"Free of restraint, he swims transcendent through the elements of fire, water, earth and air."
- Kate Pankhurst -
The fish symbol is ubiquitous in spiritual practices. Representing freedom in Buddhism, fecundity and luck in Judaism, happiness and good fortune in Confucianism – and to the Christians as the acrostic ICHTHYS (fish), standing for Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, i.e. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
Celtic lore is the Sassy Salmon who gained wisdom, creativity and foresight by eating magical hazel nuts that he found in a sacred well.
Representing all is this commonplace, domestic “Fancy” goldfish (Carassius Auratus. Contrasting the densely-stitched goldwork body with the diaphanous running stitched organza fins and tail achieves a weightless quality.
Free of restraint, he swims transcendent through the elements of fire, water, earth and air.
In addition to the goldwork and stumpwork, extensive use of the rare technique ‘underside couching’ is homage to the great ecclesiastic embroiderers of Opus Anglicanum in medieval times.
"Free of restraint, he swims transcendent through the elements of fire, water, earth and air."
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