Inspire - exhibition hang

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration

'St Stephen Walbrook' by Ross Ashmore

'Strange Fruit' by Christopher Clack

'Siloam' by Anne Creasey

'World in Despair' by Pouka

'Creation: Prayerful Attention' by Jonathan Evens

'Samson's Jackals' by Peter Webb

Inspire: art as spiritual exploration promises be one of commission4mission's most varied, exciting and interesting shows.

Ross Ashmore will show his depiction of St Stephen Walbrook, the venue for the exhibition, in addition to a sculpture of the Martyrdom of St Stephen. The same theme features in a life-size painting by Peter Webb, who is also exhibiting his latest wooden relief. Two of Anne Creasey's visionary works are included, as are two works by Pouka which also featured in our recent Deconstructing c o n f l i c t show. Among other work included will be Christopher Clack and Francesca Ross's archival ink prints, Caroline Richardson's fused glass panels, mosaics by Alan Hitching, and stone carvings by Clorinda Goodman. The show will be completed with work by Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Valerie Dean, Peter Delaney, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Janet Roberts and Henry Shelton.

Inspire will be at St Stephen Walbrook from Monday 18th - Friday 29th November, 10.00am - 6.00pm (closed on Sunday 24th November). A Private View will be held on Monday 18th November, 6.00pm - 8.00pm.

Members update: Christopher Clack

Christopher Clack has some small portraits in the Café Gallery's 'legendary' unselected exhibition, which has led the field in hang the lot aesthetics since 1984. This exhibition gives artists the opportunity to present their work in an enjoyable exhibition that is one of the annual highlights of the Gallery's Calendar.

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.

Members update: Clack & Pavliv-Tokarska

Christopher Clack will be showing two pieces of work at the 5th annual Urban Dialogues exhibition from 2 - 14 October at Red Gallery, 3 Rivington St, London EC2A 3DT. The private view is on the evening of 1st October. All are welcome. 

 

"Clack’s work examines the relationship between art and religion and the part this relationship plays in the contemporary world. 

 

Part of a larger series of work, both In God We Are Imagined and God Is Dead Now Pray are influenced by the central ideas of Negative Theological thinking. Negative Theology attempts to describe God by negation; to think only in terms of what may not be said of God. Fundamentally, negative theology is an attempt to overcome the confines of language, it is a recognition that ideas of God and the Divine cannot be sufficiently addressed by human expression. Furthermore, it argues that attempts to do otherwise have been the cause of individual and inter-group conflict. The negative way is a process of removing that which causes conflict,

so that we can look beyond and behind the words. " 

 

The annual Campaign for Drawing has one aim, namely to get everyone drawing! Drawing helps us understand the world, see, feel, shape and communicate ideas. It is fun, accessible and an invaluable way to learn and enjoy daily life’s blessings.

 

To celebrate this medium, Tokarska Gallery in collaboration with Frank Gambino’s Life Drawing Class has organised a drawing event which will coincide with duration of The Big Draw exhibition at the Gallery. The show runs: 3 – 19 October 2013, Thur - Sat, 12 - 7 pm. Private View: Thur 3 October 2013, 6pm - 8pm. 

 

Additionally, Frank has arranged for an extra drawing class with a clothed model on Thur 10 October 2013, 6.30 – 9.30 pm. This is open to all age groups. Frank’s drawing classes provide an excellent platform for professional, beginner or amateur artists. Book your free place or just drop in and discover your hidden drawing talents.

Members update: Christopher Clack

Christopher Clack has a print included in the current exhibition at Esbjerg Art Museum. Entitled 'What am I doing here?' this exhibition explores art and human existence.

Members' update: Christopher Clack and Pouka

'Big Brother' by Pouka

'Feeding Time' by Pouka

 

Two of commission4mission's most innovative artists are currently part of group shows.

 

Christopher Clack has some of his large black and white portraits in the Cork Street Open which continues until 16th August. For the past five years the Cork Street Open Exhibition has provided an opportunity for both emerging and established artists from around the world to compete for an invitation to have their work shown in Mayfair and the heart of London's art dealing centre.

 

Meanwhile sculptures and large-scale paintings by Pouka, including The Rapture (4 x 2 metres) and Sinking Earth (2 x 3.5 metres), can be seen at the Random Acts of Artistry Exhibition in the Daniel Libeskind Space (Islington, N7 8DB) from Wednesday 14th until Friday 16th August in collaboration with the Guerilla Galleries and many other artists.

No One May See Me And Live

Christopher Clack is showing a new series of work entitled No One May See Me And Live as part of the Dulwich Festival and Artists Open House 2013. His work (which also includes a set of large format Black and White portraits) can be seen at 73 Oglander Road SE15 4DD on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May and Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May, 11 am - 6pm.

Members' update: Clack, Evens and Pavliv-Tokarska

Christopher Clack has been included in the Creekside Open 2013 exhibition selected by Paul Noble - 2 - 26 May, Thursday to Sunday from 12noon to 5pm, free entry at the Art in Perpetuity Trust (APT), Harold Wharf, 6 Creekside, Deptford, London SE8 4SA. 


APT is a registered charity committed to promoting the value of creativity through the visual arts.  Located in South East London, APT supports an exceptional resource and facility for artists and the wider community. With the provision of secure studios and high quality exhibition space as a cornerstone, APT aims to foster an environment where creativity may flourish, forging links and collaborations with other professional bodies both locally, nationally and internationally.

3 MAKERS (I.Byers / A.Doidge / R.Harrison) is an exhibition of Ceramic sculpture at the Tokarska Gallery. Private View - Thursday 9 May, 6pm - 9pm. Show runs 9 May - 1 June, Thursday - Saturday, 12 - 7pm. Evening talks on contemporary ceramics by Keith Harrison on Tuesday 14 May 2013, 7 - 9pm. Talks by Bonnie Kemske on Thursday 23 May, 7- 9pm. See http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/3makers for more information.

Jonathan Evens has written a feature article for the Church Times on the work of Polish artist Marian Bohusz-Szyszko at St Christopher's Hospice. 

Members' updates: Christopher Clack

Christopher Clack will be showing a large print in the Cafe Gallery Southwark Park as part of an exhibition which celebrates 30 years of the Bermondsey Artists' Group. The exhibition is themed ‘works on paper’ and promises to be an interesting show.

The Cafe Gallery is a large contemporary exhibition space situated in Southwark Park. The PV is on Friday April 5th, 6.30 - 8.30pm. The exhibition is showing from 6th to 21st April, Wed-Sundays, 11am - 5pm.

Christopher is also part of the next Sunday Art Salon: a social event for artists, fashionistas and collectors in a Victorian studio showcasing contemporary art, vintage paintings and collectibles.

The Spring Art Salon on 7th April (11am - 5pm at Hilly Fields Studio, 12 Montague Avenue
Brockley, London SE4 1YP) will showcase the work of four contemporary south London artists: Martin Grover (well known for his depiction of quirky Bus stop prints and record sleeves), Christopher Clack and his extraordinary manipulated limited edition photo prints, Emily Toscano-Heighton (lush colourful tropical oil paintings of Tanzania), and Malcolm Brebner and his abstract expressionist paintings. Wild Brockley will be serving Afternoon Teas and a sumptious selection of homemade cakes, scones and jams. There will also be a unique collection of vintage art, furniture and collectibles.

Newsletter No. 15 – January 2013

Christmas Exhibition: Incarnation

Wendy McTernan curated and organised an excellent commission4mission exhibition entitled ‘Incarnation’ at Wimbledon Library Gallery in December 2012. commission4mission's South London launch took place at a well attended Private View. We were encouraged by the interest shown by all who came both in the conversations that took place and in the works that were sold.

Those who came appreciated the look and feel of the show, our invigilators had several valuable conversations with those who came, we also made a number of new contacts and gained new members. Midnight Church by Elizabeth Duncan Meyer and Transforming Power by Caroline Richardson were amongst several works which sold. 

Those exhibiting included Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Christopher Clack, Ally Clarke, Valerie Dean, Elizabeth Duncan-Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Sarah Ollerenshaw, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb.
 

franciscan: The Gospel in Art

Three commission4mission members have written articles on the arts for the latest edition of franciscan, which is published three times a year by the First Order brothers and sisters and includes articles on Franciscan themes, as well as book reviews and news of the Society (http://www.franciscans.org.uk/franciscan-january-2013). 

The three articles are:

• ‘Facets of faith: the gospel in modern and contemporary art’ by Jonathan Evens
• ‘Father Andrew the artist: Plaistow friar, who never lost his boyhood enthusiasm for all things artistic’ by Steven Saxby
• ‘Re-imagining the gospels’ by Helen Gheorghiu Gould

The article by Jonathan features the work of Ally Clarke, Caroline Richardson and Sergiy Shkanov while Helen's piece includes interviews with Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. 

To order a copy of the magazine contact the subscriptions secretary using franciscansubscriptions@franciscans.org.uk. 

The Seed 

The Seed (http://seedresources.com/) has an expanding collection of over 40,000 resources to download and use throughout the Church year including Digital Worship resources and inspirational articles. The Seed and seedresources.com is a collaboration between the Leaders of Worship and Preachers Trust and Twelvebaskets Ltd. 

Among the available resources are two by commission4mission artists, both of which raise funds for c4m. They are:

• Mark of the Cross which features 20 poetic meditations by Jonathan Evens on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension complemented by a set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection created by Henry Shelton.
• The Passion: Reflections & Prayers: Pictures, poems and prayers by Henry Shelton and Jonathan Evens enabling us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey.

New publications

Christopher Clack and Jonathan Evens feature in a new Dutch book entitled Jezus voor ogen (Eyes on Jesus) with visual meditations and word & image Bible studies for Lent. The visual meditations included in the book have all featured previously on the ArtWay website (http://www.artway.eu/artway.php?lang=en) and include the meditation which Jonathan Evens wrote on Christopher Clack's Descent II.

Jonathan Evens' new book, The Secret Chord, is jointly authored with Peter Banks of After The Fire, and is an impassioned study of the role of music in cultural life written through the prism of Christian belief. A website for The Secret Chord (http://www.thesecretchord.co.uk/) has news, bios, additional links, comments and views. The Secret Chord is available in paperback as well as a Kindle book. 

Member Profile: Gillian Barritt

Gillian Barritt is a ceramics artist whose work is expressive and sculptural. Her work reflects her Christian faith as well as capturing a love of Cornwall where she lives and was born. Gillian incorporates words with clay pieces which include scripture and also poetry. She also has an interest in recycled media like sea china and glass.

Eyes on Jesus

Christopher Clack and Jonathan Evens feature in a new Dutch book entitled Jezus voor ogen (Eyes on Jesus) with visual meditations and word and image Bible studies for Lent. The visual meditations have all featured previously on the ArtWay website and include the meditation which Jonathan Evens wrote on Christopher Clack's Descent II.

Marleen Hengelaar-Rookmaaker, who edited the book, writes:

"For us this book is a milestone that marks what ArtWay has been given to accomplish in the past two years. The book will hopefully function as a springboard to a new and broader audience, so that the website and its resources will be used by even more people and churches. We hope that an English version will be published next year.

In Jezus voor ogen the focus is on Jesus. While working on the book it struck me that images of Jesus can start to function as ‘models’ to us. In the book I expressed this as follows:

‘Jesus hangs on the cross as the image of the ideal human being. This is how humans are meant to be: full of love, obedient to the Father, willing to serve and suffer, resisting temptations, putting others above oneself. If we are honest, this is not really our idea of an ultimate hero. For this very reason it is of such great importance to keep on feeding ourselves with this and other images of Jesus. For deep inside of us live all kinds of other ideal images that drive us and that we bow to time and again, because they are our idols. Our ideal picture of our successful self: the slim figure, the imposing house, the fat car, the ideal partner, the golden job, the huge happiness. Christian art can replace these with new ideal images that can help us to become people of unified character: people whose inside corresponds with their outside, whose deeds rhyme with their words – people for whom Jesus on the cross is a source of inspiration for who they want to become and be.’"

Westminster Arts Inspired by the Games Festival

Chris Clack is part of exhibitions at Westminster Abbey, St Margaret's and Methodist Central Hall celebrate the Cultural Olympiad with a range of artistic forms from sculpture, carvings and glasswork to art installations, photography and paintings in various medium. A huge canvas - 18 feet high by 72 feet long painted by artists from every corner of the globe - is among an amazing array of artwork inspired by the Olympic Games and now on display across Westminster in Central London.

The exhibitions are in partnership with More Than Gold, the agency established by all the main denominations to help churches make the most of the Games. The ‘Westminster Arts Inspired by the Games’ Festival is open throughout the Games and incorporates work from a number of celebrated artists from around the world. Details on contributors can be found at http://www.morethangold.org.uk/art.

‘With such a wide array of nations represented at the Games, it is exciting to see artists from around the world collaborating on these art exhibitions. The displays, housed in iconic London churches, are important because they help connect themes from the Christian faith with the Olympic vision,’ says Andy Frost who leads More Than Gold’s Creative and Performing Arts team.

Westminster Abbey features the work of the British-born sculptor Eleanor Cardozo, combining her classical training in sculpture with personal sport experience: ‘With twenty years as a professional sculptor I have used my knowledge of the human anatomy and my experience as a gymnast to create a collection of bronze gymnasts to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic Games. Each sculpture perfectly conveys the Olympic philosophy of combining in a balanced whole, the body, will and mind,’ Eleanor Cardozo said.
Next door to the Abbey, St Margaret’s Church hosts a free exhibition which features a range of artistic disciplines from textiles to fine art.

Methodist Central Hall will host two exhibitions during the Games, one of which is a huge canvas 18 feet high by 72 feet long. This piece is comprised of 141 canvasses painted separately by individuals and groups of artists from every corner of the globe. The canvas, entitled Key of David holds the biblical promise that it ‘opens doors that no one can close and closes doors that no one can open’.

Bryan Pollard, a Creative Director from New Zealand, has orchestrated the artists to create a piece which ‘truly celebrates the unity amidst diversity spirit that is a trademark of the Olympic Games’ Each artist joining this international project sees their personal contribution as a living testimony of their creative gifts given by a Creator God.

Additionally, a selection of work from the Methodist Collection of Modern Christian Art is on display in Methodist Central Hall Westminster and offers the public a rare opportunity to view works from this impressive, yet little known, collection. On show are artworks by key twentieth-century figures, including, but not limited to: Graham Sutherland, Edward Burra, Eric Gill, Patrick Heron, Elizabeth Frink, Jacques Iselin, Georges Rouault, and Craigie Aitchison. This exhibition should attract Modern art enthusiasts, individuals with an interest in religious art, and curious members of the public alike.