The Bishop of Barking dedicated Viki Isherwood Metzler’s mosaic
Newly completed commissions
Two mosaics, commissioned as part of the development of the community garden at St Johns Seven Kings, were dedicated in October by the Bishop of Barking. Envisaged as bold, bright works to catch the eye of passers by and draw them into the green space of the garden, Viki Isherwood Metzler’s Graffiti Love is displayed on the East wall of the church, while Sergiy Shkanov added a mosaic to the Trinity sculpture in the remembrance area of the garden. This design of circular and triangular lines connecting three granite shapes symbolises the constant exchange and interconnections within the Godhead.
A second set of etched windows have been installed at All Saint's Hutton completing our second commission at this church. These windows, as with the earlier commission, were etched by Richard Paton to designs by Henry Shelton. The windows feature symbols of the four Evangelists complementing the earlier set of windows in the opposite screen which features symbols of seven Saints.
The value of public art
The value of public art came under discussion at St Paul 's Harlow during a study day, organised by commission4mission and supported by both Art and Christianity Enquiry and the Harlow Art Trust. Delegates heard from The Rt Revd David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking, and Benedict Read, Trustee of the Harlow Art Trust and Deputy Chairman of the Public Monuments
Bishop David argued that our towns and cities are increasingly dominated by multi-national brands and images that overtake communities visually and commercially. Within this context, "Public art helps to create the identity of a place by providing a rallying point around which people can be formed, as well as providing an opportunity to look beyond the humdrum in order to live better lives with more inspiration.”
Benedict Read summarised the history of public art in the West to set in context the outstanding collection of public art in Harlow: "In their context, Harlow 's commissions placed an emphasis on restoring the social fabric. Sir Frederick Gibberd saw public sculpture as a sign of civilisation and much public art is about exploring what should be valued in society.”
Delegates visited the Gibberd Gallery to see the John Mills retrospective and the Frederick Gibberd Collection of British watercolours and drawings before taking a tour of the Town Centre sculptures. An art workshop for members of St Paul St Paul
A127
Harvey Bradley curated the latest commission4mission exhibition held at St Mary Magdalen Billericay in September as part of the A127 Art Trail. The exhibition included work by Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone together with a number of exciting sculptural works by Vin Harrop, founder of the Basildon Arts Trust and Heritage Director in Basildon .
Member profile: Anne Creasey
Anne Creasey is a textile artist and embroiderer working in a variety of styles from traditional to abstract and experimental. She is very interested in helping people discover their spirituality through the creative process. Her work includes traditional embroidery, appliqué with painted fabric and includes a large range of materials, from yarns and threads to plastic bags. If it can be sewn down, it can be used!
Run With The Fire
The 25 international artists participating in Run With The Fire have completed their works and the DVD displaying those works as a virtual exhibition is being compiled. The DVD will come together with a guide to setting up art events and will cost £50.00. Copies of the DVD can be ordered from Jonathan Evens – tel: 020 8599 2170 or email: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.
Christmas exhibition
c4m will be exhibiting at the Tokarska Gallery in Walthamstow throughout December - Thursdays – Saturdays, 12 noon – 7.00pm. The Private View will be from 6.00pm on Saturday 3rd December. See http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/.
