Commissioned artwork
As a textile artist, SWhittle also creates artwork beyond spinning and basketry. Whenever looking at a space to design for consideration is first and foremost given to the feeling of the space and how it is used. Designing for two transcept walls in a United Church, and taking as inspiration the stained glass pieces in the sanctuary and the congregation's passion for quilting created some of the most spectacular work.
The overall theme and inspiration of the two pieces is balance. Each piece on either side of the transept walls is a mirror image of the other. One panel is a celebration of the female aspect, simply titled “Mother.” The other panel celebrates the male aspect, titled “Father.” The male panel uses the symbol of the Peacock to represent Christ while the female panel uses a school of fish following their mother to represent Christ’s community.
Three appliquéd windows appear across the bottom of “Mother.” The round rose patterned windows read from left to right: “Rose” (stylized as a rose) in tribute to the incredible rose window at the church viewable from the balcony; “Mary” (stylized as a Lily) in tribute to the Virgin Mary to whom all Rose windows are dedicated; and “Hope” (stylized as bulrushes) in tribute to the hope for the future. The appliquéd pieces across the bottom of “Father” are in tribute to the two founding congregations of First United. The square-shaped appliquéd panels at the bottom read from left to right: “St. Paul” (stylized as a pouch); “the four books of the Gospel” (stylized as the Crusader’s Cross – also appearing on the exterior of the building); and “St. James” (stylized as a sword).
The interlocking arches in the architecture of the building were also a large part of the inspiration for the layout of the three larger panels in the quilt. The interlocking arches, on the exterior of the building, create negative space that is the source of light inside the sanctuary. In the quilted piece the negative space is left blank as well. Inside this space is the hand quilting provided by the Quilting Group at the church, celebrating 50 years of quilting at the church. There is no design in the negative space - just an opportunity to contemplate where the light comes in. These are the spaces left for inspiration and gratitude to the ladies at the church for their years of devotion and service to the community.
Three appliquéd windows appear across the bottom of “Mother.” The round rose patterned windows read from left to right: “Rose” (stylized as a rose) in tribute to the incredible rose window at the church viewable from the balcony; “Mary” (stylized as a Lily) in tribute to the Virgin Mary to whom all Rose windows are dedicated; and “Hope” (stylized as bulrushes) in tribute to the hope for the future. The appliquéd pieces across the bottom of “Father” are in tribute to the two founding congregations of First United. The square-shaped appliquéd panels at the bottom read from left to right: “St. Paul” (stylized as a pouch); “the four books of the Gospel” (stylized as the Crusader’s Cross – also appearing on the exterior of the building); and “St. James” (stylized as a sword).
The interlocking arches in the architecture of the building were also a large part of the inspiration for the layout of the three larger panels in the quilt. The interlocking arches, on the exterior of the building, create negative space that is the source of light inside the sanctuary. In the quilted piece the negative space is left blank as well. Inside this space is the hand quilting provided by the Quilting Group at the church, celebrating 50 years of quilting at the church. There is no design in the negative space - just an opportunity to contemplate where the light comes in. These are the spaces left for inspiration and gratitude to the ladies at the church for their years of devotion and service to the community.
Work in Progress
Other works
Other projects taken on include the construction of a working warp weight loom and a back strap loom for a movie set. The movie The Gospel of John released in 2003 and narrated by Christopher Plummer featured these works briefly but is was wonderful to see them in such a dynamic manner.