In the same way some artists use paints, charcoal or watercolors, Shirley Cunningham uses fabric and thread. Now, in what one friend has called “the culminating vision of her life’s work,” the Dallas-based artist has imagined the seven days of creation as told in Genesis chapter one.
The result is “one of the most stunning art exhibits we’ve ever mounted,” said Mark Wingfield, associate pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church, where the series now is on display. “Over the past 15 years, our gallery has shown the works of great artists who interpret the faith, but few could compare to the intricate, splendidly colorful work Shirley has done on this show.”
Cunningham chose the Hebrew word tov as the title of the exhibit because the word has a variety of meanings, including excellence, a benefit, something that is pleasing, a moral good and bounty.
“The inclusiveness of this Hebrew word for good speaks to me of the beauty and eminence of this world we were given,” she said. “My hope is that as you stand amid these tapestries you will remember the Genesis story and be reminded of the beauty that abounds and surrounds our world and the loving, creative God that gave this gift.”
The first piece in the series shows a pocket of light emerging from a darkened whirl of tapestry. Each “day” or span of time in the Genesis story continues in distinct art pieces depicting the separation of sky and sea, vegetation, sun and moon, birds and fish, animals and humans and then ending with the artist’s envisioning of God resting.
These free-hanging multi-medium works are created using a layering process. The artist applies color using vintage fabric, objects and various threads and yarn as paint on top of a supportive layer of thick wool, cotton or supportive fibers. It took Cunningham four years to complete this show.
Wilshire is only the second venue to host this show, which debuted at John Brown University last fall.
Cunningham spent 30 years in the world of fashion before pursuing art in a more traditional format.
She is a native Texan, graduated from Texas Woman’s University in 1956 with a degree in clothing and costume design. She founded the Seamstress School of Dallas in 1962, and her school curriculum was designed to teach couture sewing, design and fitting, the techniques followed by couture designers. Encouraging fine fashion sewing, it set the standard for quality in the Metroplex for 30 years. In 1989 she established JSL Fabrics Inc., a 3,700 square-foot fabric store that brought together quality teaching and beautiful fabrics under one roof.
She explains her view of fabric art by telling a story. “A writer once said in order to create you must love the stuff you use. He was, of course, talking about words, the way they look on the page, the way they sound, their rhythm, the sensation in the mouth when you speak them; but the ‘stuff’ applies to all who create. Although I use many elements in my art, the ‘stuff’’ I truly love is fabric and fiber, so the art I create is filled with these elements. I use fabric in the same way many would use paint and a needle as a paint brush. It is my hope that as one views my work, one might gain a new appreciation of the ‘stuff’ I love and see fabric, fibers and other found things in a new way."
Tov is on display at Wilshire Baptist Church, 4316 Abrams Road in Dallas. The exhibit is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. until evening most days, except Saturdays, when the building closes at noon.
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