‘Traveller, there is no path, the path must be forged as you walk’ or fly (Antonio Marchado) The White Tailed Sea Eagle, GC393, that inspired this piece was relocated to the Isle of Wight from Scotland, to reintroduce a species lost to England since 1780. His wingspan is probably 40cm longer than this piece. On 8 September 2019 he left Southern England, flying up to North Yorkshire, with no other birds to guide him on a hitherto uncharted flight, and then got himself back to the Isle of Wight, 17 months later (facts: Roy Dennis Foundation). The stitching reflects the majesty of soaring sea eagles in flight.
Maker’s own ice dyed cotton and eagle head stencils coloured with oil sticks. The eagles in flight and lettering were free motion stitched. The feathers are in the Haida style. (Haida are an indigenous people who have occupied Haida Gwaii in British Columbia. All Haida belong to one of two social groups, the Eagle or the Raven.) Haida art is characterised by bold outlines enclosing ovals and circles to which I have given a contemporary twist, using silver instead of black, blue or red. Standard 80/20 wadding, cotton backing, folded and turned edge.
