Antoni Gaudí: The Venerable mystic master of Catalan Modernism

The Vatican recently announced that the mystic master of Catalan Modernism, Antoni Gaudí, long known as “God’s architect,” has officially been declared Venerable by the late Pope Francis, the first formal recognition of his “heroic virtues” by the Catholic Church. This decree nudges the visionary designer of Barcelona’s Sagrada Família closer to sainthood—a campaign in the making for over two decades.

Following a visit to Barcelona to see many of Gaudí's buildings, I wrote two pieces for ArtWay about him. See here and here:

"Gaudí is the great sculptor who utilises natural form in his work both for utilitarian and aesthetic reasons. He described nature as ‘the Great Book, always open, that we should force ourselves to read’ and, as [Robert] Hughes recognised, thought that ‘everything structural or ornamental that an architect might imagine was already prefigured in natural form, in limestone grottoes or dry bones, in a beetle's shining wing case or the thrust of an ancient olive trunk.’

As a result first and overall impressions of his work are ones of exuberance and abundance characterised by the sinuous, sensuous curves and colours of his works. Whether we are encountering the shifting sea-like blues of the Casa Batlló, the abstract collage of the wave-like trencadis bench at Park Güell or the whirlpool-like undulations on the ceiling at Casa Milà, Gaudí's work possesses an ecstatic sense of natural beauty."

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The Oh Hello's - Soldier, Poet, King.

Foyer Display - Sue McKay

‘Intersection’ (52 x 52 cm framed, mixed media - £85) ‘Junction’ (52 x 52 cm framed, mixed media - £85) ‘Feeling’ (52 x 52 cm framed, mixed media - £85) ‘Stitched’ (52 x 52 cm framed, mixed media – Not for sale) by Sue McKay

St Martin-in-the-Fields is home to several commissions and permanent installations by contemporary artists. We also have an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions, as well as a group of artists and craftspeople from the St Martin’s community who show artwork and organise art projects on a temporary basis. One of the initiatives from this group is a changing display of work by the group members or artists linked to the group. Each month a different artist shows examples of their work, so, if you are able, do return to see the changing display.

Sue McKay has been drawing and painting from an early age. She trained and worked as an architect. In more recent years she has been making textile art. This combines her love of stitch and fabric with texture and colour. She is a member of Thirteen Textile Group which exhibits together annually at the Waterloo Action Centre.

These four pieces are taken from two series based on different themes. ‘Intersection’ and ‘Junction’ are inspired by an aerial photograph of a sweeping motorway intersection. ‘Feeling’ and ‘Stitched’ are a response to the idea that the surface reveals hidden secrets which lie beneath.

Sue is married to Alastair McKay, curate at St Martin-in-the-Fields. They live in north London.

Proceeds of all sales will go in their entirety to support St Martin-in-the-Fields’ HeartEdge network.

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The La's - Feelin'.

Sabbatical Art Pilgrimage: Latest ArtWay Report

My latest Church of the Month report for ArtWay focuses on Notre-Dame des Alpes, Le Fayet:

'The church has rightly been described as an essential stage in understanding the revival of sacred art in the twentieth century but is overshadowed by the fame and significance of Notre-Dame de Toute Grâce du Plateau d’Assy ... There are at least two reasons for the significance of Notre-Dame des Alpes. First, the architecture of the church was the inspiration for the church of Assy, Novarina being the architect for both. Second, the decoration of the Le Fayet church represents the first stage in the revival of sacred art that Fr. Marie-Alain Couturier sought to move beyond at the church of Assy.'

This Church of the Month report follows on from others about Aylesford Priory, Canterbury Cathedral, Chapel of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Hem, Chelmsford Cathedral, Chichester Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Église de Saint-Paul à Grange-Canal, Lumen, Metz Cathedral, Notre Dame du Léman, Notre-Dame de Toute Grâce, Plateau d’Assy,Romont, Sint Martinuskerk Latem, St Aidan of Lindisfarne, St Alban Romford, St. Andrew Bobola Polish RC Church, St Margaret's Ditchling and St Mary the Virgin, Downe, and St Paul's Goodmayes, as well as earlier reports of visits to sites associated with Marian Bohusz-Szyszko, Marc Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Antoni Gaudi and Henri Matisse.

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Bruce Cockburn - Jesus Train.

St Matthew Bethnal Green: Commissioning young artists

Congratulations to Fung Lau and James Johnston, both priested today at St Matthew Bethnal Green.

In 1957 it was decided to rebuild St Matthew Bethnal Green and Antony Lewis was appointed architect. Work began in 1958 and the temporary church was demolished in 1960 and the present church was re-consecrated on 15 July 1961.

The enlightened vision of Antony Lewis included commissioning young artists and ensuring that their work was integral to the structure of the building. Thus the church now has Stations of the Cross by Don Potter, a staircase sculpture by Kim James, the Apostles Screen by Peter Snow and an altar by Robert Dawson. Dorothy Rendell painted the tester designed by Lewis himself (as were the light fittings and the font) and the murals in the Upper Chapel are by Barry Robinson. The glass panels are designed by Heather Child. (see Art in St Matthew's)

Apart from these major pieces St Matthew’s houses a legacy from many of the other bombed churches in the area which are no longer standing. The stained glass in the Back Chapel by Lawrence Lee incorporates windows from St Philip’s, Swanfield Street, the crucifix at the east end is from the temporary church, as is the statue of Our Lady of Peace and a number of the carved wooden furnishings.

The interchange between artists and the church continues. For some years, the church hall was home to two galleries - Paradise Row and T 1 + 2.

Artists that have either had work in or related to the church are Cornelia Parker, Wolf Von Leinkiewicz, Lucinda Rogers and Turner Prize winner Laure Prouvost.

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Rhabanus Maurus - Veni Creator Spiritus, Mentes tuorum visita.

Sabbatical Art Pilgrimage: Latest ArtWay report

My latest Church of the Month report for ArtWay focuses on St. Margaret’s Church, Ditchling, and Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft.

'St Margaret’s Church in Ditchling has an east window designed in 1947 by [Charles] Knight, as well as an oak screen designed by John Denman and carved by [Joseph] Cribb in memory of the artist Louis Ginnett. The font and the lettering of the Ten Commandments are also by Cribb. The gravestones of [Edward] Johnston and Cribb overlook the Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft, where examples of their work and that of Guild members are now displayed in new premises by Adam Richards Architects, shortlisted in 2014 for the ArtFund’s Museum of the Year award. “The Museum offers an accessible and evocative insight into type of craftsmanship and way of life the Ditchling Arts and Crafts community developed”'

This Church of the Month report follows on from others about Aylesford Priory, Canterbury Cathedral, Chapel of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face, Hem, Chelmsford Cathedral, Coventry Cathedral, Église de Saint-Paul à Grange-Canal, Lumen, Notre Dame du Léman, Notre-Dame de Toute Grâce, Plateau d’Assy,Romont, Sint Martinuskerk Latem, St Aidan of Lindisfarne, St Alban Romford, St. Andrew Bobola Polish RC Church and St Mary the Virgin, Downe, and St Paul Goodmayes, as well as earlier reports of visits to sites associated withMarian Bohusz-Szyszko, Marc Chagall, Jean Cocteau, Antoni Gaudi and Henri Matisse.

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The Band - To Kingdom Come.

The Lake District: Windemere

A short break in the Lake District began at Broadoaks Country House Hotel 'where the sound of rushing water from the nearby river on its way to Windermere' gives way to the 'secluded, warm and inviting' interior where there are 'ingle nook fireplaces and period furniture.' The hotel is traditionally constructed from Lake District stone and slate with a 'sweeping driveway' and 'seven acres of landscaped grounds' with views across to Windermere and the Langdale Pikes.

'Bowness-on-Windermere is a sprawling tourist town on the shore of Windermere, about halfway along the 12 mile length of the lake between Waterhead at the North end, and Lakeside at the South end. It developed after the opening of the railway line from Oxenholme and Kendal to Windermere in 1847. Bowness was the nearest accessible point on the lake. Now Cumbria’s most popular destination, the town is busy for much of the year. People come to enjoy the lake for sailing and watersports, or just to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the area and the town’s delightful setting.'

'Situated in the very heart of Bowness on Windermere, the Royal Oak, a small family run Inn, is literally a stones throw from the Bowness bay piers, Lake Windermere and only a few minutes walk from the many traditional craft and gift shops.'

'When the architect MH Baillie Scott built a holiday home overlooking Windermere for his client Sir Edward Holt he created Blackwell, a masterpiece of twentieth-century design; a perfect example of the Arts & Crafts Movement.' Baillie Scott said, “On crossing this threshhold, we pass into a charmed territory where everything shall be in harmony.”

'Blackwell retains many of its original decorative features, including a rare hessian wall-hanging in the Dining Room, leaf-shaped door handles, curious window catches, spectacular plasterwork, stained glass and carved wooden panelling by Simpsons of Kendal. The rooms contain furniture and objects by many of the leading Arts & Crafts designers and studios - metalwork by WAS Benson, ceramics by Pilkingtons and Ruskin Pottery and furniture by Morris & Co., Stanley Webb Davies, Ernest Gimson and Baillie Scott himself.

Recent acquisitions of furniture by Baillie Scott are on display, including an oak and ebony inlaid barrel chair with slatted sides, sideboard and a set of dining chairs. Blackwell offers more than most historic houses with several rooms displaying historical exhibitions that explore different aspects of the Arts & Crafts Movement.'

Work by John Ruskin, Eric Gill and Paul Cezanne can also be seen.

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Christina Rossetti - When I Am Dead, My Dearest.

C20 Society Churches Database

A database of C20th churches in the UK has been compiled by the C20 Society, with the aid of a grant from Historic England, to help in their casework and in planning trips to visit C20 buildings in different areas of the country.

C20th churches are incredibly varied and interesting, ranging from the traditionally Gothic to innovative designs with features like concrete hyperbolic paraboloid roofs. Many also have wonderful fittings, including stained glass, fonts, C20th sculpture, murals, tilework, mosaics and tapestry in every C20th style. Yet these inspirational and significant buildings are under-represented in Historic England’s designation list.

In 2013 the C20 Society participated in the awards organised by the National Churches Trust to recognise the best modern churches of the last 60 years, and this database should help draw attention to our incredibly rich heritage of C20th churches.

They hope that it will also be useful for anyone interested in church architecture. You can browse or search the list of churches here. You can search on any individual search term – name, architect, location, denomination, listing grade or date of completion – or on any combination of them. You can also choose whether to display the results in date or alphabetical order. The listing grade search includes both the English Grade I, II & II* and the equivalent grades in Scotland (A, B and C) and Northern Ireland (A, B+ and B). So you can find out about a particular church or, say, all the C20th Roman Catholic churches in Liverpool or Grade I listed churches in London.

They hope to expand the database to include more information about church architects.

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William Walton - Set Me As A Seal.

Letterkenny: St Eunan's Cathedral and Conwal Parish Church

 

However you approach Letterkenny – from Derry in the east, Gweedore and Glenties in the west, Fanad and Falcarragh in the north or Donegal and Ballybofey in the south – the tall spire of St. Eunan’s Cathedral greets you.

This beautifully-proportioned building was completed, not in the fourteenth century, but in the twentieth and that there were only eleven years between the formation of the Cathedral Building Committee in 1890, by the then Bishop of Raphoe – later Cardinal O’Donnell, whose statue stands just left of the main porch and the dedication and opening of the Cathedral in 1901.

The Cathedral, designed by William Hague F.R.I.A., of Dublin, is built of white Mountcharles stone. The building contractor (for the first five years) was James McClay of Strabane. The carving contractors were Messrs Purdy and Millard of Belfast. Because of geological features of the site it was not possible to orient the church in the traditional manner i.e., with the altar at the east end. The internal measurements are as follows: length 171 feet; width at transepts 100 feet; roof height 72 feet; spire 240 feet.

Opposite the Cathedral is Conwal Parish Church, a Church of Ireland church which dates back to the 17th century. The building is believed to have been constructed when a church located at Conwal, not far from Churchill fell into ruins. The church is rubble built with an ashlar spire. The interior retains its early 19th century cast-iron circular roof, trusses and a short gallery and twisted brass brackets.

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Glen Hansard - Astral Weeks.