Leila Thomson
by Bernie Bell - 11:13 on 09 August 2022
I’ve just read of the passing from this life of Leila Thomson of Hoxa Tapestry Gallery…..
https://twitter.com/HoxaTapestry/status/1556898070490595334?s=20&t=LwYVuVznzfDyoBa9TCBt3A
I can’t claim to have known Leila – had met her a few times at the gallery and had a chat - but our house is full of images of her tapestries and her work played a part in various aspects of our life.
When Mike’s Mum died – he sent the card of Leila’s “a lifetime together” to his Dad as it exactly fitted their life together.
When my nephew’s girlfriend died I sent him Leila’s card of “echoes” – the shadow of her life was behind her – and a silver road was ahead of her.
Another of Leila’s tapestries is entitled…”all paths lead home.” I hope hers does too.
Leila’s words and image of “the child within” inspired Mike to write this…..
The Child
(To the tune of Windmills of My Mind)
In a cave, in a wood, in a land beside the sea
Sits a Child, inside a Man, inside a Mind that thinks it’s Me
Says the Child, “I am a bird, and long for sky to set me free”
Replies the Mind, “Stay inside, here is all you need to see”
And the Man looks the other way
‘Cos he don’t know what to say
He’s not listening anyway
Scared of living in the day.
And the air, up above, weaves its whirling weather ways
Autumn winds strip the leaves, to let in the Winter’s gaze
Snow then falls, it goes on falling, for days and days and days
Until the Sun breaks through the clouds, with the searchlight of his rays
And though the world is wild and wide
Still the Man says, “Here I’ll bide
Where it’s warm and safe inside
For the Child has surely died.”
So it goes, until one day, when a Woman’s gentle eyes
Open to the hidden Child, by looking past the Mind’s disguise
So that Love now fills the void of a thousand fearful lies
If growing up means growing cold, it’s foolish to be wise
And though gales and storms are rough
Still the Child rides the airs above
For the cave is not enough
Find Joy when Fear gives way to Love
McB
Strong art – inspires.
There are so many of Leila’s works that connect with life of all kinds. She wove a tapestry and the words accompanying it are… “Out of the darkness comes light, life and hope.”
The world needs to come out of the darkness into light, life and hope.
I just want to say that the world has lost a good one – there was no ‘side‘ to her – she was a stunningly impressive artist and writer and also – an Orkney housewife.
https://theorkneynews.scot/2019/06/15/heading-to-hoxa-head/
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