Abstract Art workshop

In the Art workshop held at St John's for the Barking Programme on Saturday we discussed the reality that Christian Art has, as a result of the Incarnation, been predominantly a representational art focused on the divine revealed in and through human form. With that understanding we saw what a break abstract art represents for the tradition of Christian Art and how, theologically, it is saying something very different to us.

Theologically, abstract art can say that God cannot be definitively captured in any representational image. God is beyond representation and is always more than the images that are used to describe aspects of God’s reality. In this sense, abstract art has affinities with the ‘via negativa’ which constantly reminds us that God is not as we have experienced or perceived him to be. As a result, abstract can also be equated with absence - the absence of representation equalling the absence of God – making abstract art the art ‘par excellence’ of a modernity which declared the ‘death of God.

The roots of abstract art lie in attempts to better express the essence of the spiritual in art and by exploring those roots in the workshop we found much that abstract art can reveal about the nature of God whilst also retaining its fundamental perception that God cannot be contained within our perceptions of his nature.

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The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies).

The Barking Art Project

The Barking Art Project is an art workshop providing a great opportunity to spend some time thinking about abstract art and developing your creative side as much of the day will be spent in creating your own piece of art on a religious theme. We will provide artistic materials for you to come and explore this God given side to humanity. There will also be the opportunity to see an art exhibition and an Advent art installation. All are welcome.

The art workshop will be held on Saturday 4th October from 11.00 am – 3.00 pm at St John’s Church, St John’s Road/Aldborough Road South Seven Kings. Full costs for the day are £10.00. Booking can be made through Revd John Brown, The Barking Programme, St. Luke’s Vicarage,
1A Baxter Road, Ilford, Essex IG1 2HN. Tel: 0208 553-7606. Email: livingfaith@stluke-ilford.org.uk.

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Zbigniew Preisner - Les Marionettes.

Advent art project (3)

Last night the project planning group selected the above image as the concept sketch (produced by Henry Shelton) we will work from in creating the Advent installation. The installation will comprise of three panels of mirrored perspex mounted on wooden backing panels and will be displayed in a selection of Redbridge churches during Advent. One of the key concepts of the artwork is that people will become a part of the installation by viewing themselves in its mirrored surfaces.

Our aim is that the installation will form the focal point in churches creating a place of stillness and reflection that will enable Christians and non Christians alike to find a space to relax and reflect. In this way, we hope to be an alternative to the business and busyness that the Christmas period brings and to enable our churches to be opened to a wider public during this period. Scatter cushions, candles and music will be used to create a contemplative environment around the installation.

We also plan to hold an art workshop on Saturday 4th October ( 11.00am – 3.00pm ) at St John’s Seven Kings. This will be a Barking Programme event (cost £10, bookings via John Brown) and will form part of the St John’s Patronal Festival activities. The workshop will include input on approaches to abstract art, time and materials for participants to create their own work of art, viewing of the Advent art installation and the St John’s Patronal Festival art exhibition.

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Emmylou Harris - Here I Am.

Advent Art project (2)

The project's planning group have decided on a piece comprising of three 6 x 4' panels of mirrored perspex mounted on wooden backing panels. These will be painted in an abstract design using differing textures and densities of paint to create an effect suggesting a night sky. An unpainted area in the upper right of the third panel (from left to right) will form a star shape. In the bottom left of the first panel will be some silk screened text (possibly the word 'light' in different languages). A line will connect the text with the star.

To complement the creation and display of this piece we plan to organise a Barking Programme session on abstract art and spirituality with a session on the theory of modern art, a look at different styles of abstract art (Rothko, Pollock etc.) and then a time for creating some art either as a joint project or individually. It is likely that this will take place in the context of the Patronal Festival Art exhibition at St John's.

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Don McLean - Vincent.