This evening a set of Stations of the Cross at St Peter's Hutton created by Henry Shelton were dedicated by Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Chelmsford. Fr Andy Smith and Christine Thomas write: 'Henry's contemporary style, marked by its spare drawings and muted tones, complements the mid-20th-century design of St Peter's.'
The Stations were prayed before being dedicated and a very special evening was rounded off by a reception at which Henry spoke about his work. A book of reflections and prayers to complement Henry's images is in preparation. Henry had previously created etched glass windows for St Peter's sister church, All Saints Hutton.
This set of Stations also feature in Mark of the Cross, a book of 20 poetic meditations on Christ’s journey to the cross and reactions to his resurrection and ascension written by myself. The meditations are complemented by Henry's set of semi-abstract watercolours of the Stations of the Cross and the Resurrection.
Henry and I collaborated on two collections of images, meditations and prayers on The Stations of the Cross, Mark of the Cross and The Passion. These provide helpful reflections and resources for Lent and Holy Week. These collections can both be found as downloads from theworshipcloud.
The Passion: Reflections and Prayers features minimal images with haiku-like poems and prayers that enable us to follow Jesus on his journey to the cross reflecting both on the significance and the pain of that journey as we do so. Henry and I aimed in these reflections to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but, we hope, in a way that makes maximum impact. An example follows:
Jesus dies on the cross
The sun is eclipsed, early nightfall,
darkness covers the surface of the deep,
the Spirit grieves over the waters.
On the formless, empty earth, God is dead.
Through the death of all we hold most dear, may we find life. Amen.
The set of Stations now at All Saints Goodmayes have previously been exhibited at York Minister, St stephen Walbrook, and Chelmsford Cathedral. The booklet comes with a Foreword by The Most Revd and Rt Hon. Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York: "At this most holy time, as we follow Jesus on His journey to the cross, Henry Shelton's contemporary images provide an evocative background against which we can place our deepest reflections as we contemplate the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by his death and resurrection delivered and saved the world."
Together, Henry and I formed commission4mission, an artist's collective that generated church commissions, exhibitions, events and resources. commission4mission was set up in 2009 and became a registered charity (Charity no. 1161109) in 2011. commission4mission ended its work at the end of March 2020. A summary of its work and achievements can be found here.
Henry Shelton was born and grew up in Stratford, East London. He joined West Ham church as a choir boy where he first became aware of the importance of Christian art. After leaving school he joined a London studio as an apprentice draughtsman developing his drawing skills in lettering and fine art. After 15 years of service he set up his own studio receiving many commissions to design for such clients as the Science Museum, Borough Councils, private and corporate bodies.
During this time he continued painting Christian art and after meeting Bishop Trevor Huddleston he completed a series of portraits of him which were exhibited in St Dunstan's Church, Stepney, where he was also confirmed by the Bishop.
Henry worked designing in studios across the world, including Hong Kong and the USA. His commissions include a large oil painting of the Ascension installed as an altarpiece in the Church of the Saviour, Chell Heath; the Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes, memorial etched glass windows in All Saints Goodmayes and All Saint's Hutton, paintings for the Chapel at Queen's Hospital Romford, Stations of the Crown of Thorns at St Paul's Goodmayes, and the Trinity Window at All Saints Goodmayes.
Henry Shelton was born and grew up in Stratford, East London. He joined West Ham church as a choir boy where he first became aware of the importance of Christian art. After leaving school he joined a London studio as an apprentice draughtsman developing his drawing skills in lettering and fine art. After 15 years of service he set up his own studio receiving many commissions to design for such clients as the Science Museum, Borough Councils, private and corporate bodies.
During this time he continued painting Christian art and after meeting Bishop Trevor Huddleston he completed a series of portraits of him which were exhibited in St Dunstan's Church, Stepney, where he was also confirmed by the Bishop.
Henry worked designing in studios across the world, including Hong Kong and the USA. His commissions include a large oil painting of the Ascension installed as an altarpiece in the Church of the Saviour, Chell Heath; the Millennium clock tower in Goodmayes, memorial etched glass windows in All Saints Goodmayes and All Saint's Hutton, paintings for the Chapel at Queen's Hospital Romford, Stations of the Crown of Thorns at St Paul's Goodmayes, and the Trinity Window at All Saints Goodmayes.
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