Advent reflections through art

The Advent Art Installation

The Advent Art Installation (detail)

Jonathan Evens and Henry Shelton

Henry Shelton and John Brown

The concept drawing and an early stage of creation

The old adage that you can’t create art by committee looks set to be proved wrong by the response to an art installation created for Advent by churches in the London Borough of Advent.

Initiated by Revd. John Brown, Priest-in-Charge of St Luke’s Great Ilford, the installation was created by a group drawn from the six churches in which the installation will be displayed throughout the Advent period. The original basis on which John brought the churches together was as follows:

“We decided to develop a mobile art project to be designed, executed and then displayed in the Ilford area from 1st to 24th December 2008. Our intention was that the installation would form the focal point in our churches for a place of stillness and reflection. The aim being to create a restful space that would enable Christians and non Christians alike to find a space, relax, reflect and be an alternative to the business that the Christmas period brings. It will enable our churches to be opened to the wider public and hopefully mean that they can discover a place of peace and quiet.”

The planning group that was established to progress the project began by pooling ideas for an installation on the theme of light that would be created as a tryptich on three large transportable panels. John Brown said that, “we chose the theme of light as a symbol that crosses faiths and cultures and therefore would have as wide an appeal as possible.” Ideas initially discussed included abstract or fragmented imagery using fragments of stained glass, holes in screens, mirrors, fabrics, lights, candles and water. From these initial beginnings ideas were explored through concept sketches and discussion of images drawn from a range of modern and contemporary artists.

From these meetings there rapidly emerged the final concept for an installation comprising three panels of mirrored perspex mounted on wooden backing panels. The mirrored surfaces are painted to an abstract design using differing textures and densities of paint while leaving unpainted areas forming the shape of a star and the repeated word ‘peace’. One of the key concepts of the artwork is that people will become a part of the installation by viewing themselves in these mirrored surfaces.

The installation was actually painted by artist Henry Shelton and myself, both members of the planning group. For Henry, it has been the first time he’s been part of a community project and he has found it “very interesting at the initial meetings and working on the project with the rest of the team.” It all goes to show that art can be created by committee and can, as Henry puts it, “provide a peaceful environment to reflect on the meaning of Advent amongst all the busyness of Christmas preparations.”

The dates for the Advent Art Installation as it tours Redbridge Churches during Advent are:

• St Luke’s, Baxter Rd, Ilford IG1 2HN - Dec 1-4
• St Alban’s, Albert Rd, Ilford IG1 1HS - Dec 5-8
• St John’s, St John’s Rd, Ilford IG2 7BB - Dec 9-12
• St Andrew’s, The Drive, Ilford IG1 3PE - Dec 13-16
• St Margaret’s, Perth Rd, Ilford IG1 4HZ - Dec 17-20
• The Vine URC, Riches Rd, Ilford IG1 1JH - Dec 21-24

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Bruce Cockburn - Lord of the Starfields.