Artist. Writer. Designer.
Jessica Hiemstra - The Sky is Falling - No. 31 [77cm x 47cm].jpg

The Sky is Falling

In January of 2020 Jessica installed an abstracted paper sky on the ceiling of Canada’s only all-poetry bookstore, Knife Fork Book (in Artscape Youngplace in Toronto). She was honoured to have this project included in the DesignTO 2020 Festival. Using watercolour paper, thread and washes of hand-made Genzäh Handmade Watercolours paint, this sky had tangled stitching, punctures, long dangling threads, and fragments of poetry sewn into it. The catalyst for the project was Jessica’s love of poetry and independent bookstores. She wanted to create an installation that would both acknowledge and lament the truth that bookstores that specialize in poetry, theatre, music and art are disappearing. Knife Fork Book, one of Canada’s (and Jessica’s!) treasures is as an ephemeral place as the poems are eternal.

The installation was selected by NOW magazine as one of the “best events at DesignTO 2020”.

These fragments of sky are for sale. 20% of sales will go directly to Knife Fork Book. If you are interested in a panel please email Jessica directly: info@jessicahiemstra.ca. Include the panel number in your email.

Paul David Esposti recorded the process so that the sky could be enjoyed after its disappearance.