Sea Spirits

By Agathe Habold

A journey stone inspired by Iñupiat folklore
Image provided by Agathe Habold

In Alaska, the Iñupiat people thought that the spirits of the animals they hunted for survival came out when the sky lit up: beluga whales, seals, salmons roamed again, except this time the sky was their realm.

Many thanks to Agathe Habold for sharing with us the story behind her journey stone, created as part of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands.

WHAT IS A JOURNEY STONE?

Prior to the beginning of the stitching of each tapestry panel, each stitcher of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands was tasked with telling their interpretation of the 'Spirit of the Highlands and Islands' within a blank outline of a stone. The possibilities were truly endless - is it represented in the land? The people? A historical site? A favourite memory?

In any case, each journey stone represents the connection between each individual stitcher, their story, and their own sense, or 'spirit', of place. Discover more of the stories behind the journey stones of the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands here.