Torah Mantle: Design Concept
The principal motifs used in the design are the 7 hills of Sheffield and the hills of Jerusalem. The watercolour sketch gives a rough idea of how these two elements will be combined in the textile piece.
The green hills of Sheffield would be represented by layered planes of green chiffons and organzas, following (roughly) the contours of the locality. In contrast, the hills of Jerusalem would be represented by symbolic contour lines and surface embroidery, in the rose’gold colours of the Judean hills and Jerusalem itself.
Thus Sheffield and Jerusalem are superimposed and inextricably linked. This symbolises the linking of a diaspora community with Israel.
Flowing through the contours of the design would be symbolic representation of the 5 rivers of Sheffield. These would be machine embroidered textured strips of silver and blues. Lettering might be incorporated in these passages. Some verses from Deuteronomy have been included in the sketch to give an idea of how this might be done.
Sheffield struck me as a small but outgoing community with a sense of purpose and a willingness to look forward and embrace new ideas (not least by wanting to commission a piece of textile art for the torah mantle!) I think contour lines are a good metaphor for a small community of this type; there are extremely tight and close connections, and yet in parts the community spreads out more widely. The ever-changing patterns and increasing sense of space in parts reflects the continued growth of a community from small beginnings, and its flexibility.
The design is intended to cover the whole mantle. I think it important that the mantle is an object of beauty from whichever angle it is viewed as it is processed and seen by people at close hand. It also means the Torah is symbolically in the heart of, and wrapped within, this depiction of part of the diaspora. The flowing together of the river motifs will nonetheless give it a focal point when it is propped against a wall/shoulder/ back of the ark.
Take a look at a photo of finished mantle
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