c4m member's update: two PVs and a Talk

The latest exhibition at the Tokarska Gallery is Katherine Green / 1948 Olympians (21 June - 21 July 2012) with the Private View on 21 June 2012 from 6pm - 9pm. 1948 was the last time the Olympics were held in London. The contrast is stark; London was recovering from war, athletes weren’t paid, were training on rations whilst working full-time and many had to hand sew their own kit. During the past six years, Katherine Green has has been meeting with, photographing and recording interviews with the British Olympic Team from the 1948 Olympics. Now in their 80s and 90s, they share their extraordinary stories in this touring exhibition.

Andrew Graham-Dixon will give a talk about Caravaggio at the Tokarska Gallery on Friday 20 July 2012, 6pm - 9pm. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610) lived the darkest and most dangerous life of any of the great painters. The worlds of Milan, Rome and Naples through which Caravaggio moved, and which Andrew Graham-Dixon describes brilliantly in his latest book Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane, are those of cardinals and whores, prayer and violence. Andrew Graham-Dixon is one of the leading figures in broadcasting in the UK, having presented seven major television series on art for the BBC – more than anyone else in the corporation’s history. He has been researching Caravaggio’s life and art for more than ten years, and the results of that work are now drawn together in this book. This is a ticketed event with an Entry Fee £10 - see http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/ to book.

Project 2012 is back with a third exhibition showcasing an eclectic selection of artworks and with a special intervention on the opening night by CHRISTOPHER CLACK [http://christopherclack.co.uk/]. Christopher will be providing personalised Death Certificates for all who believe the world is due to end on 21 December 2012. Project 2012 aims to provide a platform to reflect on the path our society has taken in relation to other cultures throughout history as well as nature. The end of the world can be an inspiring source for creation and destruction, whether you believe it is coming or not.

FEATURED ARTISTS in the exhibition are: FRAN COPEMAN [http://francopeman.blogspot.co.uk/]; JOSEPH FALCONER [http://joefalconer.com/];  SEDI GHADIRI [http://theyellownotes.tumblr.com/]; ANDREW HLADKY [http://www.flickr.com/photos/andrewhladky/]; SARAH LE ROY [http://www.saraleroy.com/]; HELEN SAUNDERS [http://www.helensaunders.co.uk/]; and GARY WINSHIP [http://www.reconstruct-art.com/].

The VENUE is: ARBEIT GALLERY, 4 Helmet Row EC1V 3QJ, London [http://arbeit.org.uk/]. HOW TO GET THERE: Tube: Old Street {Northern line}; Train: Old Street; Buses: 55/243/N35/N55. PRIVATE VIEW: Tuesday: 6pm-9pm. REST OF THE DAYS: Wednesday:11am-6pm; Thursday:11am-6pm; Friday:11am-6pm; Saturday:11am-6pm. Events page: https://www.facebook.com/events/187294234730523/

A Reflection on the Art in the Church Workshop

Sara Schumacher has posted an interesting reflection on the Art in the Church workshop hosted online by Transpositions. In it she considers two recurring themes that emerged over the three weeks of rich and deep conversation via the workshop. Her two themes are diversity & the importance of context and art begetting creativity and innovation. She uses commission4mission as one example of "innovative and creative solutions to overcome one of the most commonly-mentioned challenges: the lack of money for the arts." Sara's reflection can be read by clicking here.

Francesca Ross

Deep Peace, ink (20 x 20 cm)

Labyrinth, silk (49 x 49 cm)

Francesca Ross works particularly in watercolour, mostly on botanical grade illustrations of plants but also in acrylic, ink and fabric. She tries to show her faith not only in the subject matter (if 'religious') but also in the care taken and attention to detail in portraying the beauty of creation.

Tree of Life exhibition

The Tree of Life art exhibition by professional and local artists is currently at St Barnabas Walthamstow. Two workshops, a launch event and a dialogue discussion have already taken place in relation to the exhibition. 

Tree of Life is an interfaith art exhibition inspired by the Christian and Islamic traditions. It includes new artworks by Christian and Muslim artists, responding to the theme The Tree of Life and the Eternal Garden. The artworks explore the shared heritage of, and commonalities between, the two traditions.

St Barnabas is also expecting a bigger neighbourhood presence for the E17 Art Trail this September with various residents and institutions planning to exhibit. A very exciting and varied line-up is being planned for St Barnabas itself.

Transpositions interview

Jonathan Evens has been interviewed about the work of commission4mission for the current online 'Art in the Church' workshop at Transpositions. The interview can be found at http://www.transpositions.co.uk/2012/06/an-interview-with-commission4mission/ and more information about the workshop can be found at: http://www.transpositions.co.uk/2012/05/introducing-the-art-in-the-church-workshop/.

Art Talk and AGM

 

This year's AGM for commission4mission will be on Saturday 23rd June at All Saints West Ham (http://www.westhamchurch.org.uk/), 6.00pm for 6.30pm. All are welcome.

 

The evening will include:

• drinks reception and viewing of the c4m exhibition located at All Saints;
• Stanley Spencer – A Visionary of our Time – Mark Lewis. A talk which examines the life and work of one of Britain’s most renowned and eccentric 20th Century painters. The main themes include Spencer’s time as a war artist, and his extraordinary paintings which envision the Christian Gospels played out by the people in his beloved home town of Cookham;
• the AGM.

Richard Baxter and the Leigh Art Trail

Richard Baxter is showing new work in the Leigh Art Trail. He writes:

"Richard Baxter will be selling work from his latest porcelain kiln firings. Refined forms and stunning glazes, not to be missed.

Sheila Appleton is showing colourful, vigorous oil paintings, watercolours and acrylics and telling stories to entertain and inspire you.

We are also proud to be showing a retrospective of the late Alec Owen’s turned wooden bowls. He showed here for several years at the Art Trail.

Please come to Old Leigh Studios, 61 High Street, Old Leigh to see our shows. Open 16-23rd June (except Monday 18th) 11am – 5pm. Thursday 21st is our late evening when we will be open from 6-9pm and a cool refreshing drink may be had!"