franciscan: three articles

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.

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; and
• 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 Mark Lewis, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb.

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

'Beginning' as book cover

Sergiy Shkanov's Beginning has been used as part of the cover design for N. T. Wright's Lent for Everyone series published by Westminster John Knox Press. Sergiy's painting will also be used in the Old Testament for Everyone series by John Goldingay.

c4m newsletter No. 9

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 and Sculpture Association.

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's was led by Dr Philip Jenson of Ridley Hall and commission4mission artist, Robert Enoch. Participants planned a freize for St Paul’s telling the big story of the Bible to which the congregation and the wider community will be able to contribute. We ended with a cream tea at St Mary's Little Parndon.

A127 Art Trail exhibition

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 3^rd December. See http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/.

Dedication of mosaics

The Rt Revd David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking and patron of commission4mission, dedicated new mosaics, commissioned through commission4mission, at St John's Seven Kings today. The dedication took place at the end of the Patronal Festival service for St John's.

The two mosaics were commissioned as part of the development of the community garden at St Johns. They were 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 has re-created her Graffiti Love design for display on the East wall of the church, while Sergiy Shkanov has 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 is intended to symbolise the constant exchange and interconnections within the Godhead.

Completed commission: St John's mosaics

A commission for two mosaics at St John's Seven Kings has been completed today in readiness for their dedication by Rt Revd David Hawkins, Bishop of Barking, during tomorrow's Patronal Festival service at the church.

The mosaics complete work that the church has carried out to create a community garden and will also feature in both the local Church art trail and the art trail for the Barking Episcopal Area.

Graffiti Love by Viki Isherwood Metzler has been installed on the east wall of the church, where it can be seen by passers-by on the busy Aldborough Road South. The second mosaic is by Sergiy Shkanov and forms part of a Trinity sculpture, designed by the community garden planning group, for the remembrance area of the community garden.  

Commissions update

Commissions are regularly being discussed, explored and developed through commission4mission. We currently have two which are rapidly approaching completion.

St John's Seven Kings have commissioned two mosaics as part of the development of their community garden. These were 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 has re-created her Graffiti Love design for display on the East wall of the church, while Sergiy Shkanov is currently adding a mosaic to the Trinity sculpture in the remembrance area of the garden. This design of circular and triangular lines connecting three granite shapes is intended to symbolise the constant exchange and interconnections within the Godhead. The church hope to have both works installed for their Patronal Festival this Sunday when they can be dedicated by the Bishop of Barking.

A faculty has been obtained for a second set of windows to be etched by Richard Paton to designs by Henry Shelton for a screen at All Saints Hutton. On this occasion, Henry Shelton's designs are of the four evangelists. The new windows will be located opposite those of the original commission.

Other commissions currently being designed and developed include a holy water stoup by Mark Lewis and an altar frontal by Anne Creasey. Additionally through the art workshop, which was held at St Paul's Harlow and led by Robert Enoch and Dr Philip Jenson during our recent Study Day, we have developed a design for a temporary freize at St Paul's which will tell the big story of the Bible.   

commission4mission @ St Martin-in-the-Fields (2)

Our exhibition designed to encourage the commissioning of contemporary Christian art opened in the Crypt Gallery at St Martin-in-the-Fields yesterday. Fifteen commission4mission artists are showing works in a variety of media, including concept drawings, fused glass, paintings, reliefs and textiles.

Contributing artists include Adam Boulter, Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Ally Clarke, Anne Creasey, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. Some of the work is for sale, and enquiries are invited. The exhibition will also include examples of some completed commissions and information about the commissioning process.

The exhibition continues each day until 17 July. Open 10.00am - 8.00pm.

commission4mission @ St Martin-in-the-Fields

Our exhibition designed to encourage the commissioning of contemporary Christian art opens in the Crypt Gallery at St Martin-in-the-Fields on Monday 4 July. Sixteen commission4mission artists will show 40 works in a variety of media, including concept drawings, fused glass, paintings, reliefs and textiles.


Jonathan Evens, secretary of commission4mission, explains: ‘This exhibition demonstrates some of the ways commissioned art can be used to enhance a place of worship and add another dimension to a church’s mission.’

Contributing artists include Adam Boulter, Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Ally Clarke, Anne Creasey, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Viki Isherwood-Metzler, Mark Lewis, Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. Some of the work is for sale, and enquiries are invited. The exhibition will also include examples of some completed commissions and information about the commissioning process.

The exhibition continues each day until 17 July. Open 10.00am - 8.00pm. Private View: Monday 4 July from 6.00 - 8.00pm. RSVP jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

Peacing Together One World exhibition

commission4mission's Peacing Together One World exhibition at St Mary Magdalene Billericay (High Road, Billericay, Essex) opens tomorrow and can be viewed until Saturday 23rd October (9.00am - 5.00pm). This varied show includes drawings, glasswork, paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture, and a wood relief. It features the work by Richard Baxter, Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Anne Creasey, Michael Creasey, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Joy Rousell Stone, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov and Peter Webb.

Harvey Bradley, who has organised the show, will be artist-in-residence throughout the exhibition. He will be demonstrating his approach to painting and will be happy to talk with visitors about the exhibition and commission4mission.

Several events are happening during the exhibition including a cake sale on Saturday 16th, a communion service on Wednesday 20th (10.00am) and the Peacing Together One World performance evening on Friday 22nd October, 7.30pm, which will feature poetry readings, original poetry, meditations, images, and music from Colin Burns, Anne Creasey, Michael Creasey, Jonathan Evens, Keith Harman, and Alan Hitching.