Spiral and Cross

1983

Marilyn Rea-Menzies

Accessible

Type

  • Tapestry

Medium

  • Wool
  • Linen

Dimensions

  • H3520 x W900 x D90mm (set out from wall on rods)

Marilyn Rea-Menzies, ‘Spiral and Cross’ (1983), Church of St Canice, Kawatiri Westport

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, Feb 2025

1983–Current

Church of St Canice, 18 Brougham Street, Westport

Artists
Associated Artwork Person(s)

Description

Information sheet on site reads:

THE TAPESTRY WEAVING

(Spiral and Cross) by MARILYN REA-MENZIES
Commissioned for ST CANICE’S by FATHER JIM SORAHAN

Marilyn used the two symbols, the Spiral and the Cross in this tapestry.

The Spiral represents God as the Life force and energy of creation. The white host-like centre symbolises God, our Faith centre, spiralling out to life in the Universe and drawing back to Himself. (The Alpha and the Omega).

The Cross. Here the host-centre represents Jesus, relating His suffering with the suffering of humanity and the Risen Jesus, always with us in receiving the host (transubstantiation).

The colours reflect the colours of the spectrum (the rainbow) and were chosen deliberately in keeping with the colours of the brightly coloured windows. The checked effect of the colours within the spiral were also chosen in keeping with the shape of the windows and blockwork within the church.

The tapestry was woven on a frame loom, using pure New Zealand wool with a linen warp.

Marilyn encourages the viewer to draw from his or her own life and faith experience, to interpret their own meaning in the symbolism in the tapestry.

See also: