EMPYREAN

“Because the medieval universe is finite, it has a shape, the perfect spherical shape, containing within itself an ordered variety.”

— C. S. Lewis

A work-in-progress, Empyrean takes its name from superseded theories of medieval cosmology, which understood the stars as fixed entities embedded in rotating celestial spheres, like jewels set in an orb. These colourful and highly embellished pieces fuse together lace doilies, embroidery circles, and contemporary fabric swatches to imagine glittering, spherical celestial bodies.

The Archer’s Feathers

A reference to M20, a stellar nursery in Sagittarius and a fixture of Northern skies in August. Dark spires, the red glow of emission, and bright blue reflections overlap to create a symphony of atomic colour.

37 × 33 cm

Treasure Bearer

37 × 33 cm

A reference to M78, a reflection nebula in Orion best seen in winter skies. Dark dust streams, red jets emerging from forming stars, a ghostly blue glow reflects the light of a stellar nursery.

The Star in the Sword

37 × 32 cm

A reference to Orion's Sword, an asterism comprised of M42 and M43. Visible to the naked eye and best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere in winter. Hydrogen orange, oxygen green, sulfur red— dust colours the fire of creation.

Lagoon Nebula

44 x 41 cm

The Stars in the Brooded Swan

34 x 36 cm