Tokarska Gallery news

The current exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery is Guest & Volunteers: Photographs by Mark Burton until 18 June.
These new, large-scale portraits by Mark Burton provide a rare glimps inside the Crisis Rough Sleepers Centre in London, which operates during Christmas each year. Cameras are usually banned from the Centre, but as a long-term volunteer Mark was given permission to capture a series of portraits depicting guests and volunteers.

The images portray the dignified and respectful relationships that develop at the Centre. This series of work also challenges perceptions of homelessness: the subjects removed identifying name badges or wristbands, often making it unclear who is the guest and who is the volunteer.

The Gallery is also organising a juried open exhibition of children's drawings in two categories: JUNIOR LEAGUE - 6-9 years old, and APPRENTICE LEAGUE - 10-15 years old. The 12 finalists selected in each League will have an exhibition of their work at Tokarska Gallery and a monetary prize of £50.00, £25.00 and £10.00 for first, second and third place respectively. A Private View and Award Ceremony will be held on 14 September (6-8pm) and the exhibition will run from 15-22 September.

The deadline for applications is 5 August 2011 and the competition is open to any child resident in Waltham Forest. To apply, send a selection of (3-6) drawings by your child by post to Tokarska Gallery: Drawing the Culture Competition, 163 Forest Rd, Walthamstow, London E17 6HE with a £5.00 cheque made to UKUA Express Limited. More information is available from web: http://www.tokarskagallery.co.uk/, tel: 0208 531 5419 / 07800545550; and email: info@tokarskagallery.co.uk.

commission4mission will exhibit at the Tokarska Gallery in December.

A Spiritual Home

Interior of St Barnabas

Station 1

Station 7 and INRI

Station 7

INRI

Madonna and Child in the Lady Chapel

Do This and Crucifixion

Station 8 and Organ corbel

Organ corbel and Station 9

1902 foundation stone by Eric Gill, then articled to W. D. Caroe.

The information sheet for the E17 Art Trail exhibition at St Barnabas Walthamstow states that the church is delighted to have borrowed art works by Henry Shelton. Around the church are his Stations of the Cross, previously displayed in York Minster and currently in search of a permanent home in another church setting.

In addition to the Stations of the Cross, we are displaying five other recent paintings by Henry Shelton. These are in the Lady Chapel and are as follows:

• INRI (2007) - showing the letters hung above Jesus on the cross and meaning 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.
• Suffer the Children (2009) - painted with Amy Penfold (8 yrs), Henry's granddaughter. This refers to Jesus telling his disciples to put up with children and "let them come to me, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
• Madonna and Child (2008) - an interpretation of the baby Jesus with his mother Mary.
• Do This (2008) - referring to Jesus' command that his followers eat bread and drink wine to remember his body and blood.
• Crucifixion (2008) - recalling Jesus' death on the cross.

St Barnabas Walthamstow is itself a work of art, an architectural gem. It is a Grade II listed building designed by W.D. Caroe and completed in 1903. Among the art treasures contained in the church are:

• a carving of Christ the Good Shepherd (c. 1890) by Peter Brunner and originally part of the Children's Shrine at St Martin's-in-the-Fields.
• reredos from Children's Chapel of St John's, Red Lion Square (c. 1925) by Christopher Webb.
• Veni Creator Spiritus, lettercutting on slate behind the font (1994) by Charles Smith.
• East window stained glass (1903) by Clayton and Bell.
• Foundation stone (1902) by Eric Gill, then articled to W. D. Caroe.
• Statues of St Michael and two angels (1910) by Alec Miller.
• Organ corbels (2000) by Charles Gurrey.
• Green reredos designed by Julian Litten (1989) and incorporating panels of the four evangelists (painted c. 1860).

Peter Webb at St Marys Woodford

Peter Webb has been actively involved artistically at his home church, St Marys Woodford, in a wide range of ways, as is evident from artworks around the church and halls that bear the mark of his vision and design. These photographs (which were taken quickly tonight and do not do justice to his work) give an indication of his range and involvement.

'The World, The Flèche and The Devil', 2005

This painting is a pun on the word flèche, which is the proper architectural name for the spire which crowns the Memorial Hall at St Marys Woodford. It shows the Devil desperately clutching the flèche, but being dislodged by the serene radience of St Mary the Queen of Heaven, while the world of Woodford lies peacefully below.

The Denial of Peter

'Jesus calming the storm' - a collage created with the children of St Mary's Woodford

Detail of a perspex window design created with the children of St Marys Woodford

Perspex window design created with the children of St Marys Woodford