Jessica Kincaid
“Heaven and Earth” was inspired by a dream I had about heaven when I was in my early teens. I dreamed I lived in a building where every person inhabited a white marble room. In my dream I had imagined what Heaven would be like…in my room I had nothing and I wanted nothing; I had no feeling of loneliness. I saw a city in which other souls were in rooms just like mine. When I saw photographs of the Potala Palace in Tibet, it reminded me of the dream. I worked on the portrait of the Potala for several years, never finding that it made sense with any series I was working on at the time.
When I read the book of Revelation, it also struck a chord. In the Bible, Heaven was described in a way that made sense to me:
Rev 21:4 “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
I completed the piece using images from the book of Revelation, such as the Tree of Life and the fountains of the Waters of Life.
Heaven and Earth, glass beads, silk thread, 14in x 17in; 2006. Photograph by Bret Gustafson. Courtesy of Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.
Underwater Scan approx. 14in x 17in; glass beads, silk thread; 2007. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
“Sleepwalking in the Garden” is a fanciful mixture of a childhood impression of the story of the Garden of Eden combined with real memories. Actual details from my childhood include a dandelion-covered hill, a lake surrounded by cattails, and a phase when I was about seven and only wore long dresses.
Sleepwalking in the Garden, glass beads, silk thread, 14 in x 17 in; 2007. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
Reflection Approx. 7in x 9in; glass beads, silk thread; 2006. Photograph by E. G. Schempf.
Noah’s Ark, glass beads, silk thread, 17 in x 14 in; 2006. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
“Noah’s Ark” illustrates the animals boarding the Ark. The vessel provides a portable zoo, complete with the vegetation needed to sustain the animals’ lives. The Ark is built with lower, middle and upper decks, as described in Genesis. It is shaped like an ark that was found in Turkey and is believed to be the remains of Noah’s original Ark.
“Underwater Scan” incorporates an MRI image among other forms that refer to nervous system tissue. These cling in a rhythmic arrangement of underwater ferns, corals, and sea life.
“Reflection” is the reflection of the trees and sky on the surface of a lake. It is a slightly abstract inversion, similar to that found in “Heaven and Earth.”
This piece connects with the undersea motifs found in “Underwater Scan” as well as the dense textures, colors and spatial qualities found in many textile design traditions.
Kelp Approx. 8.25 in x 8.25 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
This was my first large-scale pictorial beaded piece. It narrates a childhood memory of the twilight when a summer day becomes too cool to continue wading in the water.
Wading Pool Approx. 13 in x 19 in; glass beads, silk thread; 1995. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
Similar to Reflection, but less realistic, this piece studies blue and green in an abstract arrangement that suggests the a where the sky meets the land.
Blue/ Green Landscape Approx. 8 in x 11.5 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
This piece is drawn from a protozoan.
Colacium Approx. 3.75 in x 5.5 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008.
South Lake Park, May 3, 2008 Approx. 4.25 in x 5 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Courtesy of Juliet Kincaid.
"Old Testament Superpowers" was inspired by a prophetic vision found in the Old Testament book of Daniel, Chapters 2 and 7. The beasts represent different world empires that would control Jerusalem during periods of world history.
The Lion with Wings represented the kingdom of Babylon; the Bear, Media-Persia; the four-headed Leopard with Wings, Greece under Alexander the Great; and Ancient Rome would be represented by a monster with teeth. Ancient Rome would be followed by ten toes, ten horns and feet of clay.
Some Bible scholars also see a succession of modern empires: England (lion), Russia (bear), America (leopard) and Beast (monster). In the modern viewpoint, the beast is supposed to be followed by the European Union, next the Antichrist and then Christ will return to possess Jerusalem.
When our pastor preached from this passage several years ago, I was interested in the images found in this passage of scripture and its role in Bible prophecy.
Old Testament Superpowers Approx. 15.5in x 19.5in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
Incorporating an MRI image of the brain, this piece represents the frustration felt from being unable to communicate when medications get in the way.
Overmedicated and Inarticulate Approx. 8.75 in x 8 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Photograph by Hollis Officer.
Autumn Trees Approx. 4 5/8 in x 6 in; glass beads, silk thread; 2008. Photograph by the artist.
