John Formicola’s Cairnis a witty tribute to Christopher Columbus, who can be seen at the bottom, middle. The word ‘cairn’ stands for a mound of stones crafted as a landmark, or memorial, to honor something. Forming a grid structure, the print is compiled of squares connected by the imagery of a white thread. These painterly stitches express the techniques of textile work, intertwining the concept of the artist’s visuals being mended and patched together. Each individual square showcases abstract elements of ocean life and forms the shape of a triangle when seen together, harkening to the title, Cairn, and being reminiscent of the shape of a boat, memorializing Columbus's voyage. Darker shapes within the individual squares at the top, bottom, and sides create a sense of a border enclosing the composition.
—From Brandywine Workshop and Archives records