O Emmanuel

Linda Witte Henke

O EMMANUEL (Image 7)

Cotton fabric, synthetic felt, applique, stitching, Embroidery, found objects

Artist Statement: This series was inspired by "The Great O Antiphons," a collection of prayers dating back as far as the fourth or fifth centuries that are intended for use during the final seven days before Christmas. The prayers, which address God using several Old Testament titles and express a growing sense of urgency for the Messiah’s coming, give voice to poignant human longings that are as relevant today as they were in centuries past. This is the version of the seventh prayer as it appears on this panel:

O EMMANUEL (God with Us), you come from a distance far beyond our reach, yet to be closer to us than we are to ourselves; remain with us in our own days of expectation that we may give birth to what is just, true, beautiful, and good; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit, abides with us, one God now and forever.

The works in this series were created from cotton fabric, cotton batting, and synthetic felt that was dyed, painted, stenciled, and stamped, then embellished with appliqué, improvisational stitching, hand embroidery, and found objects (metal hardware and plastic stars).

 
< Previous Next >
About ECVA     Contact ECVA