3rd Place Winner

Francesca Power - Nottingham Trent University

Tree of Life:
Angelic Scapular

Francesca’s concept is titled ‘Tree of Life’ and is inspired by the peculiarities of Hieronymus Bosch’s “Garden of  Earthly Delights” [1515]. Exploring the mystery of the ‘unseen realm’ and biblical story of creation. The piece, ‘Angelic Scapular’ is made of embroidered 3D wired petals representing fantastical armour for the  cherubim guarding the Tree of Life. 

Feathers are encrusted in crystals grown on silk, inspired by  strange botanical florals and Fibonacci’s pattern in the Garden of Eden then organically mutating into  darkness. Each petal is wired, covered in hand dyed and pleated silk habotai, backed with satin backing  and then hand embroidered. Francesca  worked with 100% silk and organic embellishment, with the idea that  everything is biodegradable and can return to the Garden it was forged in. 

Francesca spent a year in industry, partly working for Miss Sohee on 3D sculptural couture pieces. This influence of couture design has influenced her outcome. With the final piece being tailored for a performance setting: a body accessory  lending itself to the fantasticalness of the concept. In response to the Mystic Arts, the piece is a romantic  reaction to the age of the digital, promoting a return to the natural and the spiritual.

Francesca’s concept is titled ‘Tree of Life’ and is inspired by the peculiarities of Hieronymus Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights” [1515].

Tree of Life: Angelic Scapular
Tree of Life: Angelic Scapular
Tree of Life: Angelic Scapular
Tree of Life: Angelic Scapular
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