Last week I visited the British Library to see Cornelia Parker’s Embroidery of the Magna Carta. I also had the pleasure of sitting in a discussion with her and Jimmy Wales (co-founder of Wikipedia) to discuss the work and its significance.
Last week I visited the British Library to see Cornelia Parker’s Embroidery of the Magna Carta. I also had the pleasure of sitting in a discussion with her and Jimmy Wales (co-founder of Wikipedia) to discuss the work and its significance.
The piece replicates the Wikipedia entry of the Magna Carta from the 15th June 2014 (799 anniversary of the Charter) and has been painstakingly embroidered by 200 people, including professional needleworks, prisoners, solicitors, barons and Jarvis Cocker.
‘Magna Carta (An Embroidery) is a snapshot of where the debate is right now,’ says Parker. ‘Echoing the communal activity that resulted in the Bayeux Tapestry, but on this occasion placing more emphasis on the word rather than the image, I wanted to create an artwork that is a contemporary interpretation of Magna Carta.’
It’s a lovely piece and even more interesting when you consider that some of those who embroidered it are in prison because of the values it helped shape.
Available to see until 24th July.