7 DAYS

7 DAYS is a contextual work, responding moment by moment to the environment around it. It aims to cause us to reflect on the gift of creation, our role and our place in it. What effects do our actions or inactions cause, what choices do we make in caring for and repairing it?

7 DAYS was initially created as an installation project for COP 26 @ Memorial Chapel of the University of Glasgow, 1st November – 26th November 2021. The project is now on-going.

7 DAYS is currently being exhibited @ The Bield at Blackruthven, Perth, 27th June – 7th August 2024. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days-a/

7 DAYS, 7 Panels.

A series of seven mixed media, predominantly textile, panels, 1M x 1M, have been made by myself – artist, Carol Marples – based on the 7 days of creation in the book of Genesis, Chapter 1.

Each panel has been made from repurposed white and off-white fabrics, collaged, patchworked, appliqued and sewn together. This includes a range of materials left over from previous textile and worship projects, pillowcases, sheeting, vintage linens, handkerchiefs and even part of my mum’s wedding dress (1963) – yes, she does know!

Stitched onto these panels are simple motifs and designs that reflect an element or elements of each of the seven days of creation. Alongside these are white emulsion (left over from decorating) graphite text, gold leaf (representing the sacred) and candle wax. These create additional subtle marks and textures and complete the first stage of the seven panels.

The text, a word or short phrase, was chosen poetically, rather than strictly lifted from the book of Genesis.

Texts:

  • DAY 1: ‘loved into being…’
  • DAY 2: ‘Water of life’
  • DAY 3: ‘Consider the lilies’. (There is also a grocery list written on the back of the panel – part of which can be subtly seen where the wax has been applied – as one might write a shopping list on the back of an envelope or such like)
  • DAY 4: ‘Light(s) of the world’
  • DAY 5: ‘Blessed’. Everett Fox notes in his The Five Books of Moses that this is the first occurrence of the motif of blessing, which then reoccurs throughout Genesis.
  • DAY 6: ‘all humanity’
  • DAY 7: no text

The panels were  initially installed in seven different gardens from Mid-July to Mid-October thereby handing the works over to the various situational and elemental environments of these places. I visited them regularly to both document any changes – both subtle and notable and to make any decisions that may be needed to add to, change or repair the panels during this time.

Documenting: The changes are documented here in photogrpahic and diary form:

Day 1. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days/

Day 2. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-2/

Day 3. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-3/

Day 4. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-4/

Day 5. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-5/

Day 6. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-6/

Day 7. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/documenting-7-days-day-6/

Exhibition: November 2021. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days-exhibition-1st-26th-november/

7 DAYS: January – June 2022

In January 2022 the 7 DAYS panels returned to their original host gardens. . As before the changes in the panels and their environments are documented on this website. (see links above) The panels were exhibited at the Solas Festival, 17th -19th June, 2022. Errol Park, Perthshire. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/7-days-july-oct-2012/7-days-solas-festival/

7 DAYS: July 22 – onwards

At the end of July, beginning of August 7 DAYS was hung on Iona as part of the Wild Goose Resource Group worship week. An international workshop week bringing together 42 people from around the world. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/7-days-july-oct-2012/7-days-iona-august-22/

7 DAYS was installed in the gardens of Holy Rood House, a centre for Healing and Pastoral Care in North Yorkshire from mid November – mid December 2022. http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/7-days-july-oct-2012/7-days-holy-rood-house-thirsk/

December 2022: 7 DAYS: Art and the Sacred. Article in the online journal Transpositions: Theology, Imagination and the Arts. https://www.transpositions.co.uk/author/carol-marples/

7 DAYS: THE BEE PROJECT: April 2022 – February 2023 http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days/7-days-the-bee-project/

The ‘7 DAYS: The Bee Project’: I created 3 new panels in early 2022, these were placed by 3 beehives in late April. I am working in collaboration with Carrie Gooch, beekeeper and artist (amongst many other things) Three new panels, all of a similar design have been created. The designed might be interpreted in several ways as a series of seeds bursting forth from a central golden; the seed Christ at the heart of the universe present in all things. Or it might simply be read as a flower, an important provider of pollen for those industrious bees to makes their wonderful honey. 

To follow the Bee Project, click here: http://www.soulmarks.co.uk/wp-admin/post.php?post=5076&action=edit

7 DAYS: 2023

7 DAYS: September – October 2023. St. James the Less Episcopal Church, Leith for Creationtide,

7 DAYS at the beginning of Creationtide: A reflection/ brief sermon by Carol @ St. James the Less Episcopal Church, Leith. 4th September 2023. https://stjamesleith.podbean.com/e/september-3rd-2023-seven-days/

7 DAYS: 2024

7 DAYS is currently being exhibited @ The Bield at Blackruthven 27th June – 7th August 2024

Additional, photographs and videos can also be found on the Soul Marks social media; Facebook and Instagram pages.

https://www.facebook.com/Soul-Marks-114065058674492

https://www.instagram.com/soul_marks_trust/