The universe in beads: Margaret Nazon's unique artwork - Action News
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The universe in beads: Margaret Nazon's unique artwork

An artist in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., uses beadwork to depict galaxies, nebulas and more, inspired by the cosmic imagery of the Hubble telescope.

Artist in Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., uses beadwork to depict galaxies, nebulas and more

The Tadpole Galaxy is in the Draco constellation and 420 million light-years from Earth. This is Margaret Nazon's version in beads. (Margaret Nazon/Nomad Designs)

Margaret Nazon of Tsiigehtchic, N.W.T., recently held a contest. She wanted to see if people would recognize thesubjectof her latest beadwork.

The winning answer:"ARP 147 or Double Ring Galaxies in Cetus."

It took four days for someone to find the answer. But it'sobvious if you'veseen the image from the Hubble telescope.

Nazon's beadwork is inspired bycelestial images.

In this case, ARP 147 refers toa colourful pair of galaxies more than 400 light-years from Earth. The Hubble image shows onescintillatingring of blue lightnext to a thinner pink-hued oval. These sparkling colours and shapes inspire Nazon'sbeadwork.

"It's free-form beadwork," Nazon says. "It's mostly galaxies and nebulas and other cosmic images. I don't use one size of bead, I use all differentsizes, just to emphasize the colours and interesting details."

Nazon's work is inspired by images of the Hubble telescope. (submitted by Margaret Nazon)

The idea goes back to 2008when Nazonfirst saw the Hubble telescope images online. She immediately thought the stars looked like herGwich'inbeadwork.

"I was so impressedthat I thought I shouldat least attempt it," she said.

Nazon says she likes the creativity of the work andespecially how it allows her touse different beads in abstract patterns.

"It's not like making moccasins. I can just go wild."

So far, Nazonhas exhibited her work at the Great Northern Arts Festival in Inuvik,as well as various galleries in Alberta, Ontario, B.C., Yukon andN.W.T.

Nazon's version of ARP 147, a colourful pair of galaxies more than 400 light-years from Earth. (Margaret Nazon/Nomad Designs)

with files from Wanda McLeod