‘LIFES’ FRAGMENTS;
NOUGHTS AND CROSSES AT NINETEEN’
Julie Haddrick 2007
117 x 150 cm [46 x 59 inches]
This is the third in the series of “FRAGMENTS” art quilts by JULIE HADDRICK
I was invited to exhibit in the “Iconography” exhibition at the Nexus Art Centre, Adelaide in 2007. At the time, this art piece was evolving in response to the death of our dear friend Christopher Thompson, the result of Cancer and bone marrow transplant surgery. Rev Steve Thompson, his father, with mum Judy and brother Michael wrote regular emails to keep friends informed of Chris’s treatments and his progress. We came to rely on this digital communication and felt honoured to be included in this information circle, experiencing many highs and lows throughout the 35 email letters.
‘Iconography’ or image writing in the Christian tradition uses symbolism of form, stylized text and colour to communicate highly complex ideas through the religious icons. Icons seek to make visible the borderline for Christians between heaven and earth and the picture is not of images of this world, but it becomes a sort of window into heaven. Gold is used in icons to represent the radiance of heaven, blue, the colour of human life and white, the essence of God.
The three panels in ‘Life’s Fragments’ explore the digital icons of ‘O’s and ‘X’s as contemporary symbols. They are illustrated through the formality of the children’s game of chance; noughts and crosses, through to love and endearment [hugs and kisses] of hand written emotions and sentiment. These ‘O’s and ‘X’s merge into hearts and fish; the symbol of Christian faith. The bold ‘X’ expression of pain and anger and ‘O’ are repeated in various scale throughout the piece, with decorative stitch and beading reinforcing symbolic representations of immense love and compassion.
In ‘Strength’ we journey with Christopher and his illness, each carrying hopes and fears as we witness an amazing man of great faith and strength, who is surrounded by a devoted, adoring family. Our grief at Christopher’s death; his departure from his family and his physical body is illustrated through the ‘Humility’ panel. I am struck by his selflessness, his wisdom and modest sense of his own significance, as we farewell and grieve this beautiful nineteen year old. In the third panel ‘Essence’, surrounded by immense love and prayer we celebrate his life and his transcendence to his spiritual life, as he is returned home to his spiritual Father.
Photo transfers, hand painting, silk screen printing, painting and stenciling
with hand dyed, commercial and recycled fabrics.
Cotton, silk and synthetic fabrics, glass beads. Hand and machine appliqué,
machine pieced construction and machine and hand stitching / quilting
and embellishment.
Private Exhibit