art, pray, love (2)

art, pray, love is Hillside Church Wimbledon’s inaugural art festival which launched on 26 March 2011 at The National Gallery with a guided tour by art historian and gallery lecturer Stuart Currie.

commission4mission regional repreentative, Wendy McTernan, has assisted with curation of the exhibition of paintings, ceramics and sculpture, some specially made for art, pray, love, which opened on Thursday 7 April at the church. The artists are drawn from local organisations and private galleries including Wimbledon Art Studios, YMCA London South West and The Cynthia Corbett Gallery.

The show includes paintings from Ghislaine Howard’s 365 Series, small pieces inspired by images seen in the news each day; Sarah Ollerenshaw’s iconic figurative work that speaks of sacrifice and love; and Claire Burke’s meditative compositions using shimmering gold and silver leaf. There’s also photography by Tim Edmonds and Tom Leighton, and drawings by Mercy Kagia. All work is for sale, with 15 per cent of proceeds going to support the local YMCA. A suggested donation of £5 to £10 will be collected at the door.

‘The festival came about through our passionate belief in the arts, and how this shapes the landscape of our journey through life together,’ says Anita Taylor, who is curating the exhibition on behalf of the church and showing some of her work.

Richard Thomas, church leader at Hillside says, ‘We believe that artists are generous people, sharing their gifts to inspire others.’

The festival continues with a guided gallery tour of Tate Britain on Saturday 9 April, and a series of Sunday morning talks at the church, celebrating Easter Sunday with a focus on Caravaggio’s Supper at Emmaus.

The art, pray, love exhibition is open 11.30-4pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 10-1pm on Sundays. Full programme details can be found at www.hillsidewimbledon.org or by telephoning 020 8944 5544.

Hillside Church, 37 Worple Road, Wimbledon, SW19 4JZ. Nearest station: Wimbledon 5 mins walk. Buses 57 and 131 pass the door; 156, 163, 164, 200, 219, 93 and 493 stop nearby.

Sarah Ollerenshaw @ Wimbledon Open Studios

Come and see new work by Sarah Ollerenshaw at the Wimbledon Art Studios Open Show next Thursday!

For those that haven't been the show is a really fun experience where you can buy affordable, good quality art directly from the artists. There are over 100 artists, ceramicists and sculptors showing. There is a lovely atmosphere and everyone including children are very welcome.

The show times and dates are:

• Thursday 13th May 2.00- 10.00
• Friday 14th May 2.00- 10.00
• Saturday 15th May 11.00- 6.00
• Sunday 16th May 11.00- 6.00

For directions please go to http://www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk/.

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.

Colin Joseph Burns

Secret Forest I

Destiny

Colin Joseph Burns works mainly in acrylics and paints landscapes and other works with a spiritual/Christian element.

Colin writes:

"Journeying into the unknown, a sense of adventure and discovery, hinting that there may be something more beyond the physical world than we can see - these are the themes that I am exploring in my work. I do this mainly through the depiction of landscape, both observed and imaginary. There may be a path leading into the distance which symbolises the idea of journey or there may be light coming from an unseen source drawing the viewer in almost as if entering a hidden, unseen world.

I aim is to convey these ideas not only by the representation of the subject matter but also by the creation of an atmosphere. It is hoped that the work has a certain presence which encourages the viewer ‘into’ the painting as it were. There is a sense that something is going on beneath the surface, behind the scenes

I paint in both oils and acrylics. My acrylic painting method is influenced by the landscape watercolours of artists such as Turner and traditional Chinese painters. Using acrylics in a very fluid way, I build up transparent layers allowing the underlying images to show through. I often start out with an idea but I take advantage of the natural tendency of the paint to produce unpredictable and surprising results as if the paint itself itself is exploring and going on a journey."

Colin is also administrator for the Arts Centre Group, has been playing guitar for over 30 years and teaches guitar in London. Having started out studying classical guitar and later electric guitar full time at college, he embraces various styles and brings them together in his original acoustic guitar compositions.

A journey of discovery

In addition to exhibiting his paintings in the Open Studios exhibition at Wimbledon Art Studios, Colin Burns will also be performing at The Lighthouse Café Club on Friday May 22nd in
'A journey of discovery: explorations in music and painting - an evening with Colin Burns.'

Colin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and teaches guitar in London. Having started out studying classical guitar and later electric guitar full time at college, he embraces various styles and brings them together in his original acoustic guitar compositions.

He is also a painter and is currently based at South Wimbledon Art Studios where he takes part in regular exhibitions. Last year he was represented by Hicks Gallery in Wimbledon. Around this he fits in working as administrator for the Arts Centre Group!

Colin will be performing some of his original acoustic guitar pieces and talking about his paintings. He will be sharing about his journey and development as an artist and musician.

Friday May 22nd 2009. Tickets £2.50. 7.30 for 8.00pm. Venue: Parkside Evangelical Church, 1 St Flora’s Road, Littlehampton, BN17 6BD. All enquiries to 01903 725471.

Colin Burns opens his studio

Commission For Mission member, Colin Burns will be exhibiting in the Open Studios Art Show being held at Wimbledon Art Studios on Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 May 2009.

Wimbledon Art Studios is London’s largest studio complex and holds open studio shows twice a year. These exhibitions are the ideal opportunity to buy original work from over 100 emerging and established artists including painters, sculptors and ceramicists.

Families are welcome. There is free entry, free parking and a Café. You are able to purchase direct from artists and cards are accepted. Thursday & Friday 2-10pm. Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm.

Wimbledon Art Studios, Riverside Road, London SW17 0BB. Tel: 020 8947 1183. Email: enquiries@wimbledonartstudios.co.uk. Web:
http://www.wimbledonartstudios.co.uk/.