A stunning exhibition of twelve enormous, embroidered silk panels that explore the story of creation is coming to Truro Cathedral.

From July 8 to August 20, ‘Threads Through Creation’ will be on display in the city. An exhibition that has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors across England, this will be the only chance to see it in Cornwall.

Inspired by the poetic verses of Genesis, the first book in the Bible, textile artist Jacqui Parkinson re-imagines this ancient story in a vibrant combination of layers of silk, hand-dyed materials, metallic leathers and gold leaf, miles of thread, and more than eight million stitches.

The panels are huge – 3m/8ft high by as much as 4m/13ft wide - and vary in appearance from powerful, elemental pieces illustrating the first days to highly complex and lush work as we enter the Garden of Eden.

Jacqui Parkinson’s work is always eye-catching and attractive, designed to be accessible for viewers of all ages. Whilst the serious context of God’s good earth and man’s impact on it underlies the entire exhibition, the embroidery itself is bold and exuberant, with many delightful, quirky details both accurate and fanciful creatures embroidered into the stories.

Jacqui said: “It’s a pleasure to have the exhibition in Truro Cathedral, such a lovely, tranquil gem of a building. The creation story itself is a lovely gem in the bible. I hope the panels will add a sparkle to everyone’s visit here.”

Speaking about how she works, Jacqui said: “I start simply with antique bedsheets, which hold their own tales of life and death. Then I gradually build up my stories by quilting the sheets and painting them with fabric dyes. Once that is done, I add layers of silk, which I stitch into place using thick black thread and a free-motion sewing machine.

“This allows me to construct my ‘drawings’ line upon line. Then I add gold and metallic leathers as finishing touches, overall creating great richness as a feast for the eye!”

“My aim is to capture the wonderful extravagance of the Creation story and to delight people who view it. Despite Adam and Eve’s fall from grace, it remains a story of love and promise, something we can all do with these days.”

Dean Simon Robinson added: “Welcoming Jacqui Parkinson’s incredible exhibition ‘Threads through Creation’ is another first for Cornwall. This extraordinary exhibition aims to engage the observer with the story of creation found in the book of Genesis.

“It consists of 12 huge textile panels which tell one of the foundational Christian stories and is in one of the largest textile exhibitions created by a single artist. I am delighted that, yet again, Truro Cathedral, itself a majestic architectural gem, is bringing such a significant artwork to Cornwall. I hope that every visitor to the cathedral is simply bowled over by this incredible exhibition.”

Threads Through Creation runs at Truro Cathedral is available to view during general visiting times. There is no charge for admission to the cathedral, but donations are very much appreciated.