commission4mission in Harlow

commission4mission's exhibition for the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival opened today and continues until 4.00pm on Monday 27th May. This is a pop-up exhibition at 20 Broadwalk, Harlow Town Centre CM20 1HT.

The exhibition features work by Ross Ashmore, Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. The exhibition includes ceramics, drawings, fused glass, paintings, photographs, sculptures and wooden reliefs. Much of the work being shown is for sale.

There will be a lunchtime reception during the exhibition on Saturday 25th May from 1.00 - 3.00pm, to which all are welcome and which has been timed to follow on from the art talks taking place at St Paul's Harlow that same morning. Click here and here for more information on other Festival events.

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage.  The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment.

The value of public art

The value of public art was under discussion yesterday at St Paul's Harlow with delegates to a commission4mission study day touring the Gibberd Gallery and Harlow Town Centre sculptures as examples of good practice in public planning.

Those attending the study day, organised by commission4mission and supported by both Art and Christianity Enquiry and the Harlow Art Trust, 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."

In his presentation, Benedict Read summarised the history of public art in the West in order 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 current 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 Harlow was led by Dr Philip Jenson of Ridley Hall and commission4mission artist, Robert Enoch. The workshop was used to plan a freize for St Paul's Harlow telling the big story of the Bible to which the congregation and the wider community will be able to contribute in future. The day ended with a cream tea at St Mary's Little Parndon.

St Paul's Harlow is a key part of the artistic heritage of Harlow being a modernist church designed by Humphrys and Hurst which includes an impressive mosaic by John Piper, on the theme of the Emmaus Road. St Paul's is also, as a result, one of the churches which features in the Art Trail for the Barking Episcopal Area. Recognising the significance of the Arts to Harlow and wanting to contribute to the understanding and development of public art in the Town Centre were two of the reasons why St Paul's Harlow chose to host this study day and involve commission4mission in exploring new possibilities for artwork in the church building. A photographic display, which can still be seen at the church, had also been commissioned to show hidden aspects and unusual perspectives of the church building as part of stimulating thought and encouraging fresh thinking. 

For more on the presentations at this study day click here and here.

c4m exhibition and Study Day

The next commission4mission exhibition will include work by Harvey Bradley, Colin Burns, Jonathan Evens, Mark Lewis, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton and Joy Rousell Stone and will be held at St Mary Magdalen Billericay from 9th - 18th September (10.00am - 5.00pm). This exhibition is being organised for the A127 Art Trail.

Our next Study Day is taking place on Saturday 17th September at St Paul's Harlow, College Square, Harlow CM20 1LP. Exploring the value of public art, the day will feature input from the Bishop of Barking, Harlow Art Trust and Art and Christianity Enquiry plus opportunities to view the public art of Harlow Sculpture Town (including a tour of Harlow Town Centre sculptures and a visit to the Gibberd Gallery to see the John Mills retrospective and the Frederick Gibberd Collection of British watercolours and drawings). The day will end with a cream tea at St Mary's Parndon. To register contact – tel: 020 85992170 or email: jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.