Newsletter 19 - November 2013

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t

Paintings by Maciej Hoffman together with works by commission4mission artists were on show in Chelmsford Cathedral as part of an exhibition entitled Deconstructing c o n f l i c t during One World Week. Hoffman is a Polish artist whose work is concerned with the trauma of all individuals and peoples who have suffered - and continue to suffer - worldwide. He says that he "views his art as both a means of self-expression and a way of engaging in public discourse, depicting contrasts, emotions and powerful human experiences."

The Revd. Canon Ivor Moody (Vice-Dean, Chelmsford Cathedral) said, "We wish to use the interest, challenge and impact of art to draw people from our differing communities into genuine dialogue with each on the basis of the real issues each of us face. These events bring issues of justice and peace to the centre of local family, school and community life." 

A fascinating inter-faith lecture by Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum which seeks to build bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities, was held on Tuesday 22nd October in the Chapter House of the Cathedral. Beginning with a BBC film on the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum, Rabbi Gluck spoke about his family history, his work with the Next Century Foundation through which he has played a significant role as a mediator in conflicts as diverse as the Sudan and former Yugoslavia, as well as reflecting on the work of the Muslim-Jewish Forum. Rabbi Gluck first met Maciej Hoffman in Poland and has been a strong supporter of Maciej's work ever since, so it was particularly appropriate that he should be able to deliver this lecture as part of the programme of events for the Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition.

These events were organised by Chelmsford Cathedral, commission4mission and the Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum, with the support of the Big Lottery Fund, to inspire, inform and encourage more people of diverse backgrounds to come together to explore shared values and take action to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world. Our aim was to challenge stereotypes which cause conflict and empower people to live and advocate peaceful lives. 

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration is a commission4mission exhibition at St Stephen Walbrook from 18th – 29th November (10.00am – 6.00pm, closed 24 November). Among the artists exhibiting are: Ross Ashmore, Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Christopher Clack, Anne Creasey, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Clorinda Goodman, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Pouka, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. Parish priest, Peter Delaney  will also exhibit his work as part of the show.

A Private View will be held on the evening of Monday 18th November from 6.00pm – 8.30pm and will include a welcome from The Venerable Peter Delaney MBE. All are welcome.

Christmas cards

commission4mission is producing Christmas cards for the first time this year featuring designs from our artists in a variety of media and styles.

Artists contributing 11 different designs include: Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Mark Lewis, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb.

The cards will be available either in packs of ten and as single cards and can be ordered by emailing to cform@btinternet.com or by visiting the Inspire exhibition at St Stephen Walbrook.

 

'Deconstructing c o n f l i c t' videos

Maciej Hoffman has posted two videos of the recent Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition. One focuses on Maciej's own work and the other on that of commission4mission artists. If you weren't able to see the exhibition for yourself, these videos are the next best means of appreciating the show and the issues it explored.

Click here and here to see the videos.

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t was supported by the Big Lottery Fund, the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, which is responsible for giving out 40% of the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery.

'Deconstructing c o n f l i c t' and the Church Times

Among the news items in today's edition of the Church Times is a photo from our Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition at Chelmsford Cathedral. The photo shows 'Statistic Death', one of Maciej Hoffman's large, dramatic works which graphically depict the reality of suffering and pain caused by conflict.

Lecture: Deconstructing c o n f l i c t

Following a drinks reception in Chelmsford Cathedral for the Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition, a multi-faith audience heard Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE give a fascinating lecture on his experience of Muslim-Jewish relations.

Beginning with a BBC film on the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum, Rabbi Gluck spoke about his family history, his work with the Next Century Foundation through which he has played a significant role as a mediator in conflicts as diverse as the Sudan and former Yugoslavia, as well as reflecting on the work of the Muslim-Jewish Forum.

When he received his OBE, the Queen described his work as amazing and that is an accurate description of the significant work that this charming, humorous and dedicated man has undertaken both here and abroad.

Rabbi Gluck has said of the founding of the Muslim-Jewish Forum:

"Prior to setting up the Muslim-Jewish Forum in 2000, I had spoken to many people regarding the logic of the two communities cooperating on issues of common concern. Whilst everyone was very polite and listened carefully, they felt that it was a nice dream, but somewhat removed from daily reality.

Today, Thank G-d, this has become much more mainstream. Whilst we are two independent and different communities, and there are many important areas of differences between us, there is a much greater awareness of the positive benefits that result from our joint efforts and constructive engagement.

There are sadly still many areas of tension between members of our communities. But considering the major achievements of the past 12 years, we are greatly encouraged that, whilst retaining our unique identities, even greater harmony can be achieved in the years to come, with real benefits for us and for future generations."

Rabbi Gluck first met Maciej Hoffman in Poland and has been a strong supporter of Maciej's work ever since, so it was particularly appropriate that he should be able to deliver this lecture as part of the programme of events for the Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition.

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition

Paintings by Maciej Hoffman together with works by commission4mission artists are on show in Chelmsford Cathedral this week (21st - 23rd October, 7.45am - 9.00pm, ending 3.00pm on 23rd) as part of an exhibition entitled Deconstructing c o n f l i c t for One World Week.

 

Hoffman is a Polish artist whose work is concerned with the trauma of all individuals and peoples who have suffered - and continue to suffer - worldwide. He says that he “views his art as both a means of self-expression and a way of engaging in public discourse, depicting contrasts, emotions and powerful human experiences.”

 

commission4mission artists whose work features in the exhibition are: Ken Ashby, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Pouka, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. 

 

The Revd. Canon Ivor Moody (Vice-Dean, Chelmsford Cathedral) says, “We wish to use the interest, challenge and impact of art to draw people from our differing communities into genuine dialogue with each on the basis of the real issues each of us face. These events will bring issues of justice and peace to the centre of local family, school and community life."

 

An inter-faith lecture by Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum which seeks to build bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK and around the world, will be held on Tuesday 22^nd October in the Chapter House of the Cathedral.

 

These events have been organised by Chelmsford Cathedral, commission4mission and the Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum to inspire, inform and encourage more people of diverse backgrounds to come together to explore shared values and take action to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world. Our aim is to challenge stereotypes which cause conflict and empower people to live and advocate peaceful lives.

Members update: Jonathan Evens

Jonathan Evens was one of the speakers at ArtServe's Hearts on Fire! festival weekend. Part of a double act with Peter Banks, co-author with Jonathan of The Secret Chord, their talk focused on the twin themes of artistic dilemmas and synchronicity which are explored within the book.

Jonathan said:

"Our experience of creativity is of disparate and often contradictory ideas being crushed, swirled, fermented, shaken AND stirred in our minds in order that the fine wine of creativity results. Those disparate and often contradictory ideas are a little like the grit in the oyster which eventually produces the pearl or possibly, in this instance, the Secret Chord. Our hope is that this book, by exploring artistic dilemmas from a range of different perspectives, will mature in people’s minds exactly like some fine wine or that pearl."

Jonathan was also interviewed, together with Canon Ivor Moody (Vice-Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral), on BBC Essex this morning. The interview can be heard here (for the next seven days) and covered the Deconstructing c o n f l i c t exhibition and inter-faith lecture, plus their review of the Sunday newspapers.

'Deconstructing c o n f l i c t' on the radio

Jonathan Evens will be reviewing the newspapers and talking about our 'Deconstructing c o n f l i c t' exhibition together with Canon Ivor Moody, Vice-Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral, on BBC Essex next Sunday morning at 8.00am.

News about the exhibition can now be found on an eclectic range of different sites including:

http://www.polishculture.org.uk/visual-arts/news/article/deconstructing-c-o-n-f-l-i-c-t-2151.html;

http://www.visitessex.com/events/Chelmsford-Deconstructing-conflict/details/?dms=13&feature=4&venue=0144881&easi=true&groupid=1&nd=All&z=10&msg=Events+taking+place+around+Chelmsford.&townid=222&miles=10;

http://www.benuri.org.uk/public/news.php?news=artists-news-announce-your-event-here;

http://joninbetween.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/spiritual-life-column.html;

http://commissionformission.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/deconstructing%20conflict;

https://www.facebook.com/events/519629288121998/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming.

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t

 

 

'Burning Heads' by Maciej Hoffman

 

'The World In Despair' by Pouka



'Conflict Kid - Fun Future's Resort' by Hayley Bowen



'Agony' by Henry Shelton

'Drawer from The Cabinet of Sin & Salvation' by Jonathan Evens

 

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t is an art exhibition that will be held in Chelmsford Cathedral on 21^st - 23^rd October 2013 (7.45am – 9.00pm, ends 3.00pm Wednesday) and will feature expansive expressionist paintings by Maciej Hoffman supplemented by related work from commission4mission artists. Among commission4mission artists contributing work will be Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Jonathan Evens, Pouka, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. 

 

Maciej Hoffman is a Polish artist whose work is concerned with the trauma of all individuals and peoples who have suffered - and continue to suffer - worldwide. Hoffman “views his art as both a means of self-expression and a way of engaging in public discourse, depicting contrasts, emotions and powerful human experiences.” He has said that the subjects which interest him are those "issues that puzzle us throughout the years, forming our way of looking at the world, changing us."

 

Hoffman's work has been the focus previously of conferences and events on themes of conflict and resolution in the UK and Poland, including exhibitions such as: Art of Reconciliation 2012 - Edith Stein Centre, Wroclaw Poland; Blue Line Holocaust Memorial Exhibition 2012 - Town Hall, Barry; Journey Line 2011 - Town Hall Wroclaw; and Journey Line 2010 - Oxford Chabad Society.

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t

Deconstructing c o n f l i c t is an art exhibition, an inter-faith lecture and an opportunity to engage with the aims of One World Week by bringing together people of different faiths and backgrounds from across Essex to share concerns about the causes of conflict, hear others' points of view and acknowledge shared values.

The art exhibition will be held in Chelmsford Cathedral on 21^st - 23^rd October 2013 (7.45am – 9.00pm, ends 3.00pm Wednesday) and will feature expansive expressionist paintings by Maciej Hoffman supplemented by related work from commission4mission artists. Maciej Hoffman is a Polish artist whose work is concerned with the trauma of all individuals and peoples who have suffered - and continue to suffer - worldwide.

The keynote speaker for our inter-faith lecture is Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE, founder of the Muslim-Jewish Forum which seeks to build bridges between Muslim and Jewish communities in the UK and around the world. The lecture will be on Tuesday 22^nd October, 7.30pm, in the Chapter House of Chelmsford Cathedral. A drinks reception will be held in the Cathedral from 6.00pm for those wishing to view the exhibition prior to the lecture.

These events have been organised by Chelmsford Cathedral, commission4mission and the Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum to inspire, inform and encourage more people of diverse backgrounds to come together to explore shared values and take action to build a just, peaceful and sustainable world. Our aim is to challenge stereotypes which cause conflict and empower people to live and advocate peaceful lives.

Maciej Hoffman says that he “views his art as both a means of self-expression and a way of engaging in public discourse, depicting contrasts, emotions and powerful human experiences.” His work has been the focus previously of conferences and events on themes of conflict and resolution in the UK and Poland, including Holocaust Memorial events.

Dr John Rees (Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum) says: “The Chelmsford Jewish Community (CJC) is small in number but large in spirit and energy. I am certain that the Art Exhibition during One World Week will hugely affirm the CJC in its worship and tradition, and, not least, in its struggle, corporately and individually, to cope with the legacy and nightmare memories of unspeakable horrors both past and most recent.”

Sidra Naeem (Islamic Representative, Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum) says: “Muslims can feel very isolated and excluded due to the negative portrayal of Islam in the media resulting in Islamophobia. Members from the BME communities have often come across race/hate crime or have taken refuge in the UK due to horrific conditions in their own countries such as poverty, war, persecution, genocide or oppression due to government and politics. An art exhibition depicting these issues would greatly benefit members from the BME sector as well religious groups, including Muslims, as it would assist in the recovery process as well as raise awareness of these issues in the wider community. It would also help them to come to terms with the problems they have encountered in their lives.”

The Revd. Canon Ivor Moody (Vice-Dean, Chelmsford Cathedral) says, “We wish to use the interest, challenge and impact of art to draw people from our differing communities into genuine dialogue with each on the basis of the real issues each of us face. These events will bring issues of justice and peace to the centre of local family, school and community life. We will take this message into schools by linking it to a schools art exhibition which follows immediately after Deconstructing C o n f l i c t at the Cathedral.”

Our approach builds on the success of previous Mid Essex Inter-faith Forum One World Week events and the unique combination of art, presentations and debate which Maciej Hoffman has initiated in previous exhibitions such as: Art of Reconciliation 2012 - Edith Stein Centre, Wroclaw Poland; Blue Line Holocaust Memorial Exhibition 2012 - Town Hall, Barry; Journey Line 2011 - Town Hall Wroclaw; and Journey Line 2010 - Oxford Chabad Society.

Art at Guy Harlings

The Ven. Martin Webster, Archdeacon of Harlow, will be showing some of his paintings in the boardroom at Guy Harlings, the Diocesan office for Chelmsford which will be open to visitors between 10am and 4pm on 8 September as part of Heritage Open Days.

Guy Harlings is a Grade II listed building, constructed in about 1716-1721 by John Comyns, later a Baron of the Exchequer, and re-fronted at the beginning of the 19th century. Three parts of the building will be open: the front hall, containing 16th century linenfold panelling with a frieze of carved heads, made of timber probably from the Tudor house on this site; the board room; and the resources centre (bookshop). The rooms overlook an expansive lawned garden. The name of the building comes from Guy Harlings who inherited a brewery on the site in 1453. The building has housed the offices of Chelmsford Diocese since 1951. A pamphlet will be available and items of interest will be on display.

Discover the history of Guy Harlings, browse the bookshop, find out about the print unit and take a look at the art on display in our boardroom. The Dean of the Chelmsford Cathedral, The Very Revd Peter Judd will be offering a tour of the Cathedral starting from Guy Harlings at 11am. 

Ordination: Revd. Helen Gheorghiu Gould

Many congratulations to Helen Gheorgiu Gould who was ordained deacon today at Chelmsford Cathedral. Helen will serve her title at St John the Baptist, Epping.

New icons for Chelmsford Cathedral

At our Study Day in November Peter Judd, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral, showed us cartoons for the icons which he had commissioned for Chelmsford Cathedral. The four icons have now been completed and installed. Philip Ritchie has a post on the icons here and the icons are also featured in the Church Times and The Month.

The new four icons have been painted by Orthodox Icon painters, who in true medieval style wish to remain anonymous as their offering to God. The four icons (170in x 55in) are of Mary, Jesus, St Peter and St Cedd (who brought the Christian faith to Essex in 654AD). They have been placed in windows on the north side of the chancel previously blocked off and blank for 70
years.

News update

Our catalogue of current commission4mission artists has just gone to print. The cover can be seen above. The catalogue features a foreword by our patron, the Bishop of Barking, an introduction to commission4mission, an article on 'Challenges of Church Art', profiles of each of our current artists, and a listing of c4m commissions and exhibitions.

Our showcase exhibition at Chelmsford Cathedral is featured in the December edition of The Month under the heading 'Ambitious artists' group celebrate cathedral show'. This edition of The Month also features the Tree of Life season at St Andrews Leytonstone as part of their Reflect arts programme. Tree of Life included workshops by c4m artists Mark Lewis and Peter Webb.

Peter Webb is also exhibiting in the 76th Annual Exhibition of the National Society of Painters, Sculptors & Printmakers at the Menier Gallery. The exhibition ends on Saturday 28th November and was opened by the Bishop of Barking.

Sarah Ollerenshaw is exhibiting in the Winter Open Art Studios Show at Wimbledon Art Studios from 26th - 29th November.

Jonathan Evens' talk on The Art of Life for the annual 'At Home' Service of the Mothers' Union and Women's Fellowship at St Margaret's Barking can be found by clicking here. The service included a collection which raised £45.00 for the work of commission4mission.

Perspectives on commissioning Christian Art (3)

Dr. James Bettley spoke at commission4mission's recent Study Day from the perspective of those advising on the commissioning contemporary art for churches:

Commissioning contemporary art for a church is just about the most difficult thing that a PCC may have to do. It is in a different league from most other decisions because of the element of choice and the sense that it involves discretionary spending. In addition, those involved are unlikely to have had any previous experience of commissioning or to know the world of arts and crafts. As a result, they are likely to need all the advice they can get.

Within the Church of England there is not much that a church can do in this area without getting a faculty. Faculties ensure that: buildings and contents are kept in the best condition for future generations; work is done to a good standard; and wardens and incumbents are protected from personal liability.

Discussion with the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) is therefore essential and their role is to advise everyone involved in the application, from the PCC to the Chancellor who ultimately grants the faculty. DACs have been nicknamed the 'Damned Awkward Committee' but they actually exist in order to show parishes what can be done.

The DACs first reaction to a commission application will be, "Fantastic, tell us more." The DAC Design Awards encourage churches to use individual artists and craftspeople. St Albans Romford is an example of a church going down this route and, as a result, gaining many awards. Commissioning original work may be more expensive but will give better value for money in terms of pleasure and quality, so the DAC is favourably disposed towards commissioning and will steer parishes down this path.

The issue of whether to commission original work or to purchase wares from a Church furnishing company derives from the development of Church furnishing companies in the nineteenth century. Their establishment was a reaction against indiscriminate gifts that churches had felt obliged to accept. Churches should set standards as to what can be given and steer donors towards those items that are needed by the church.

William Morris said, "Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." What is useful in church can also be beautiful, and perhaps should be as churches are special public buildings. Over the years, churches often accumulate artworks but these are often overlooked, taken for granted and unrecognised because they have not been gathered together and sensitively displayed as with works in a museum or gallery. Churches have much to learn from galleries and museums which are warm, dry, sensitively lit and containing interpretation of the works displayed. Revd. Ernest Geldart of St Nicholas Little Braxted said that, "God's house ought to be the finest house and most beautiful house in the parish."

How can we determine what is beautiful though? DAC members have a range of relevant experience to draw on in providing advice. Because they have a great deal of joint experience, they have a good idea of what will work well.

Stained glass is particularly tricky because a cartoon cannot depict colours in light or the absence of light. The essential thing is to look at a range of each artist's work. Advice can also be given on framing, lighting etc; again all in consultation with the artist. There is no point in commissioning if too tight a brief is given to the artist. The CHURCHart website has a directory of artists and is a useful source of information. Don't rush into a commission, look around before commissioning a specific artist. Some areas hold open days for artists which it can be useful to attend. Despite all this alot of art in churches is mediocre.

In the nineteenth century, when much church building and restoration was undertaken, it was considered essential that the architect had to have a faith. Artists in earlier times were also devout Christians. However, those who are not Christians can nevertheless produce work that is appropriate for churches. We have a tendency to select artists on the strength of their faith meaning that those in the pool of artists with a faith tend to do more and more work for churches. We should consider that good artists are not necessarily good Christians and good Christians not necessarily good artists.

Perspectives on commissioning Christian Art (2)

Peter Judd, with fellow panellists, Peter Webb, James Bettley, Henry Shelton and Harvey Bradley

Cartoons of works commissioned by Peter Judd

The Very Revd. Peter Judd, Dean of Chelmsford Cathedral, spoke at commission4mission's recent Study Day from the perspective of those commissioning contemporary art for churches:

While at Iffley Church Oxford, we were undertaking some modest reordering when the Chair of the Diocesan Advisory Committee asked whether we would like a John Piper Nativity window at the church. The already completed window was a Tree of Life with animals and the key question was how to fit it into the church.

This situation is described in a recent biography of John and Myfanwy Piper, although my recollection of events differs in some details. The family were insistent that Piper's Nativity went into the East window of the church where there was already an existing window by C. Webb. The C. Webb Society wished to retain the East Window and the issue became so divisive that I decided to refuse the offer.

However, Myfanwy Piper was then persuaded that a better position for the window would be on the south side of the baptistry. In this setting the window needed an extension and none of those proposed were acceptable to Myfanwy. Eventually I sat down with my daughter and worked on an alternative which was acceptable.

Eventually, although the parish had had a petition to stop the window, it all went through and everyone loved it. There was no cost for the window as it had been a gift.

At Chelmsford I thought that the Cathedral needed a symbol that would welcome visitors to the Cathedral and had admired Peter Eugene Ball's Christus at Southwell Minster. A congregation member liked Ball's work and became the benefactor for the project. I visited Ball initially and he then visited the Cathedral. We looked at the space and I then suggested leaving him to spend longer looking on his own but he said, "I know what I'm going to do. I'm not a prima donna."

Ball produced a small model which people grew to like but the final piece caused consternation when it was delivered as it appeared huge. People were saying that it was grotesquely out of scale but Ball simply said, "Trust me," and once in place it isn't out of scale at all.

A Mother and Child by Ball followed and most recently a set of candlesticks, as I thought it important to have some continuity in commissions. We also have a Nativity set by Ball which was paid for by the Friends of the Cathedral. Not everyone liked the humourous nature of the set but were won over when they saw the way in which children responded to the set.

The next project was a blank window revealed after the transfer of the organ. I had been impressed by the doors to the organ by Patrick Caulfield in Portsmouth Cathedral but was cautioned that, while a nice man, I would be lucky to find him sober. I went to see him and was immediately asked if I would like a glass of wine. Caulfield didn't want to get involved so I asked Tom Devonshire Jones for advice. He suggested Mark Cazalet and we met in the Cathedral. Cazalet had been looking at the space before we met and I quickly discovered that we were both thinking along the same lines (a Tree of Life); a scary but thrilling meeting of minds.

Cazalet produced a cartoon for our consideration and the finished work was almost exactly the same. The work was funding through a Millennium Grant for the local council. It was painted on panels in a disused church. Halfway through the painting was almost entirely covered in gold leaf and the green of the tree was then painted on top of the gold leaf. Children visiting the Cathedral regularly explain to their parents that the painting is all about the environment.

I had received a gift of £2,000 to replace the original altar frontal in the Mildmay Chapel and had been sent a catalogue from the tapestry department of West Dean College Chichester. There was a particular design that I liked so I got in touch and visited. I once taken aback by the estimated costs because of the large number of hours involved in weaving. However, it got done to budget and the original vibrant design that I liked, following research at Bradwell, became a very serene design.

The last project to speak about involves a series of icons for four blank windows in the Cathedral chancel. Initially, I was thinking of paintings linked to the Tree of Life but decided not to pursue this idea and instead thought of four icons related to the Cathedral - St Mary the Virgin, Christ, St Peter and St Cedd.

I met with a leading iconographer but for reasons of cost was unable to pursue this option. Then three nuns from the Community of St John the Baptist at Tolleshunt Knights attended Evensong at the Cathedral and showed interest when they were told about the project. Their designs were produced very quickly and cartoons put in place by Sister Maria using a cherrypicker brought in for the Cathedral Mystery Play. The only real change has been that I have asked them to roughen up St Cedd abit in order that he has a wildness like that of John the Baptist. They will be installed in January with the final paint then taking two further weeks. The significant difference in costs between the original quote and that of the nuns which has made this an affordable project.

Some commissions have been so easy and some so difficult. Once an artist has been engaged those commissioning the work should either sack the artist or go with it. Essentially, comissioners need to trust the artist.