The origins of the Scapular
The Scapular is a fairly personal project and - to outside eyes at least - might appear something of a departure from my usual work. This is the first time I’ve developed a design whose focus is not primarily utilitarian. That said, I’ve always invested a lot of heart into my work, even when making practical items such as handbags. While they must work for their intended purpose, I hope that this heart - this symbolic charge - remains apparent to the person the item is being made for. The Scapular project is an exploration of what might happen when utilitarian concerns are left behind and the focus is placed entirely on the symbolic.
The Devotional Scapular
My design is inspired by the devotional item worn by certain monastic orders through the centuries. Devotional Scapulars are comprised of two wool rectangles connected by a pair of strings. They are worn as a necklace with one patch resting on the chest and the second falling on the nape of the neck. Depending upon the particular order to which they are aligned, the patches have certain scripts or devotional prayers stitched onto their surfaces. The name comes from the Latin Scapulae meaning shoulders. The necklace itself is a simplification of a practical piece of clothing of the same name worn by monks over their clothes while doing physical work. Essentially it is an apron is formed of a long width of wool, draped over the head, falling front and back, cinched at the waist.
A secular version
Over the centuries the garment was reduced in size until it became largely ornamental, worn under the clothes as a reminder of the wearer's dedication. With this jump a utilitarian item became a symbolic one. My new rendition is a secular version, an open-ended vessel to carry ones own objects or ones own ideas in physical form.
