A Cross of Contrasts by Lindsay Akers

      A Cross of Contrasts -
      embroidered panels with copper detailing

The Inspiration

Corinthians chapter 1
"The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God".
What a contrast the cross is, something that takes life becomes something that gives life.
John chapter 12
"I tell you the truth, unless an ear of wheat falls to the ground and dies it remains a single seed, but if it dies it produces many seeds".

The embroidered panels with in the copper tubing are green in preference to the brown of wood because green signals life and vitality. I chose a dark green velvet to contrast with the shiny acetate beneath and accentuated the texture with stitch and beading.

The smooth dull tubing was patenated by applying heat to the copper's surface, this contrasted well with the more shiny crinkled copper . The rounded corners of the tubing complement the sharper angular corners of the embroidered panels.

The copper foil section symbolises a crown of thorns, a crown of glory, the fleur de lys denotes kingship and the flames, the Holy Spirit.

A Cross of Contrasts

The Maltese cross also known as the St. John's cross fills the centre section. Each point of the cross reminds me of the 8 blessings of the beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.
This version by J. B. Phillips is my favourite :-

"Happy are those who know their need of God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort.
Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them.
Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God.
Happy are those who make peace for they will be known as sons of God.
Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the Kingdom of Heaven will be theirs.
And what happiness will be yours when people blame you and ill treat you and say all kinds of slanderous things against you for my sake.
Be glad then, be tremendously glad for your reward in Heaven is magnificent."

A people in need become a people who have everything once they realise their need of God.

The circle that supports the copper foil reminds me of eternity, of things without end, of God always being with me, and of His continuing faithfulness.

This Cross hangs in Willesborough Baptist Church, Ashford, Kent.

back to the gallery

Site Map