Between: commissions

Showing posts with label commissions. Show all posts

Saturday, 8 February 2025

St Mary with St Leonard Broomfield: Thomas Huxley-Jones and Gwynneth Holt

Today, I gave a talk at Broomfield Parish Church about Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones and Gwynneth Holt, two of the Broomfield artists who, along with Rosemary Rutherford, created artworks for many churches in the area covered by the Diocese of Chelmsford in the twentieth century.

Some of the works I included in the talk were the following:

Given the amount of work by the Broomfield artists within the area covered by the Diocese of Chelmsford, I suggested that it might be possible to create an art trail around the Diocese as a way to highlight their contribution to the churches of the Diocese. Such a trail would begin at Broomfield Parish Church with the artworks the, the graves of Rutherford, Huxley-Jones and Holt in the churchyard, and the wonderful Rutherford exhibition, but would then take those following the trail around the Diocese to demonstrate the importance to the churches of the Diocese of these three Broomfield artists.

Broomfield in Essex became a village of artists following the arrival of Revd John Rutherford in 1930. His daughter, the artist Rosemary Rutherford, also moved with them and made the vicarage a base for her artwork including paintings and stained glass. Then, Gwynneth Holt and Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones moved to Broomfield in 1949 where they shared a large studio in their garden and both achieved high personal success. My poem 'Broomfield', part of my 'Five Trios' series, reviews their stories, work, legacy and motivations.

For more on the artists of Broomfield, all of whom are commemorated there with blue plaques, see here, here, here, here and here.

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Bono, The Edge & Friends - Invisible.

Friday, 7 February 2025

Broomfield artists talk: Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones and Gwynneth Holt

Tomorrow, I am speaking at Broomfield Parish Church about Thomas Bayliss Huxley-Jones and Gwynneth Holt, two of the Broomfield artists whose work features in many churches within the Diocese of Chelmsford. Both were significant artists whose work would benefit from rediscovery. Find out more at 2.00 pm tomorrow.

This talk is a Project Rutherford talk. Project Rutherford promotes the life and works of the artist Rosemary Rutherford through an exhibition, talks and trails.

https://stmarybroomfield.org/rutherford-project/

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John Taverner - Ikon Of Light.

Thursday, 6 February 2025

Seen and Unseen: Interview: Alastair Gordon on the artist’s attention

My latest article for Seen and Unseen is an interview with Alastair Gordon on the artist’s attention which explores why the overlooked and everyday capture the creative gaze:

"Looking at the overlooked is central to my artistic practice. I feel a resonance with artists of the past who have focused on the everyday moments that might otherwise go unobserved. Most often, it’s the mundane objects that have become so familiar that they almost become invisible.

Focusing on details—colours, shapes, emotions, and often overlooked objects—allows me to connect with something greater. It feels like speaking in tongues; the act of creation transcends words and expresses something less tangible. At times, the meaning isn’t clear, and I need to wait for it to be revealed.”

For more on Alastair Gordon see my Artlyst interview with him here.

My second article 'Corinne Bailey Rae’s energised and anguished creative journey' explores inspirations in Detroit, Leeds and Ethiopia for Corinne Bailey Rae’s latest album, Black Rainbows, which is an atlas of capacious faith.

My third article was an interview with musician and priest Rev Simpkins in which we discussed how music is an expression of humanity and his faith.

My fourth article was a guide to the Christmas season’s art, past and present. Traditionally at this time of year “great art comes tumbling through your letterbox” so, in this article, I explore the historic and contemporary art of Christmas.

My fifth article was 'Finding the human amid the wreckage of migration'. In this article I interviewed Shezad Dawood about his multimedia Leviathan exhibition at Salisbury Cathedral where personal objects recovered from ocean depths tell a story of modern and ancient migrations.

My sixth article was 'The visionary artists finding heaven down here' in which I explored a tradition of visionary artists whose works shed light on the material and spiritual worlds.

My seventh article was 'How the incomer’s eye sees identity' in which I explain how curating an exhibition for Ben Uri Online gave me the chance to highlight synergies between ancient texts and current issues.

My eighth article was 'Infernal rebellion and the questions it asks' in which I interview the author Nicholas Papadopulos about his book The Infernal Word: Notes from a Rebel Angel.

My ninth article was 'A day, night and dawn with Nick Cave’s lyrics' in which I review Adam Steiner’s Darker With The Dawn — Nick Cave’s Songs Of Love And Death and explore whether Steiner's rappel into Cave’s art helps us understand its purpose.

My 10th article was 'Theresa Lola's poetical hope' about the death-haunted yet lyrical, joyful and moving poet for a new generation.

My 11th article was 'How to look at our world: Aaron Rosen interview', exploring themes from Rosen's book 'What Would Jesus See: Ways of Looking at a Disorienting World'.

My 12th article was 'Blake, imagination and the insight of God', exploring a new exhibition - 'William Blake's Universe at the Fitzwilliam Museum - which focuses on seekers of spiritual regeneration and national revival.

My 13th article 'Matthew Krishanu: painting childhood' was an interview with Matthew Krishanu on his exhibition 'The Bough Breaks' at Camden Art Centre.

My 14th article was entitled 'Art makes life worth living' and explored why society, and churches, need the Arts.

My 15th article was entitled 'The collective effervescence of sport's congregation' and explored some of the ways in which sport and religion have been intimately entwined throughout history

My 16th article was entitled 'Paradise cottage: Milton reimagin’d' and reviewed the ways in which artist Richard Kenton Webb is conversing with the blind poet in his former home (Milton's Cottage, Chalfont St Giles).

My 17th article was entitled 'Controversial art: how can the critic love their neighbour?'. It makes suggestions of what to do when confronted with contentious culture.

My 18th article was an interview entitled 'Art, AI and apocalypse: Michael Takeo Magruder addresses our fears and questions'. In the interview the digital artist talks about the possibilities and challenges of artificial intelligence.

My 19th article was entitled 'Dark, sweet and subtle: recovered music orientates us'. In the article I highlight alt-folk music seeking inspiration from forgotten hymns.

My 20th article was entitled 'Revisiting Amazing Grace inspires new songs'. In the article I highlight folk musicians capturing both the barbaric and the beautiful in the hymn Amazing Grace and Christianity's entanglement with the transatlantic slave trade more generally.

My 21st article was entitled 'James MacMillan’s music of tranquility and discord'. In the article I noted that the composer’s music contends both the secular and sacred.

My 22nd article was a book review on Nobody's Empire by Stuart Murdoch. 'Nobody's Empire: A Novel is the fictionalised account of how ... Murdoch, lead singer of indie band Belle and Sebastian, transfigured his experience of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) through faith and music.'

My 23rd article was entitled 'Rock ‘n’ roll’s long dance with religion'. The article explores how popular music conjures sacred space.

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Van Morrison - Hymns To The Silence.

Friday, 5 April 2024

Church Times - Book review: The Spiritual Adventure of Henri Matisse: Vence’s Chapel of the Rosary by Charles Miller

My latest book review for C hurch T imes is on The Spiritual Adventure of Henri Matisse: Vence’s Chapel of the Rosary by Charles Miller:

'the author explores the deep overlap between the attrait (attention) that artists pay to their subject and the attrait in contemplative prayer. For Matisse, such attention involved intuition and intellect, contemplation and communion, light and glory, combined with a monk-like detachment.'

For more on Matisse's Chapel, click here for an ArtWay article I wrote following my visit in 2012.

Other of my pieces for Church Times can be found here. My writing for ArtWay can be found here. My pieces for Artlyst are here, those for Seen & Unseen are here, and those for Art+Christianity are here.

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T Bone Burnett - Waiting For You (Visualizer) ft. Lucius

Wednesday, 3 April 2024

Artlyst: The Art Diary April 2024

My April Art Diary for Artlyst covers exhibitions as far apart as Salem, Massachusetts, Hong Kong, Venice, Cumbria, Welwyn Garden City and London:

'Sophie Hacker’s ‘The Infinity Series’ exhibition offers a chance to appreciate some of her recent artwork, inspired by and created in response to a new Reredos painting at St Marylebone Parish Church. This work, “A Sea of Glass Like unto Crystal”, has recently been installed as a commission for the Church to complete the ‘lunette’ of John Compton’s impressive apse composition. Canon Jeremy Haselock describes the work as showing, beneath the heavenly throne, “a swirling cosmic sea, a vortex of divine love, drawing into salvation the whole created and uncreated order.”'

See here for my HeartEdge interview with Sophie, here for my Church Times interview, and here for my ArtWay interview.

Interviews -

Monthly diary articles -

Articles/Reviews -

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U2 - A Sort Of Homecoming.

Wednesday, 14 December 2022

Gods' Collections: Wickford and Runwell case study

The churches in the Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry have recently featured as a case study in the Gods' Collections research project. Places of worship of all traditions have always accumulated collections. Today some have generated great art museums, while others just keep a few old things in a sacristy cupboard. The Gods' Collections project looks at why and how these collections have developed, how they have been looked after, and how understanding of them has changed over the millennia.

The case study explores the artworks found within St Andrew's, St Catherine's and St Mary's churches and considers some of the ways in which such works can be publicised, including the use of art trails as used previously in the Barking Episcopal Area and the City of London.

To read the case study click here.

In addition to this case study, I have also written a case study on the art collection of St Martin-in-the-Fields based on a tour of the site which I originally developed for the Friends of St Martin-in-the-Fields.

This case study sets the commissions programme at St Martin-in-the-Fields in the wider context of the renewal of sacred art within the twentieth century. The case study also develops further, articles originally written for Artlyst and Art+Christianity.

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Ricky Ross - I Am Born.

Tuesday, 15 November 2022

God's Collections case study

In September I led a tour of artworks at St Martin-in-the-Fields as part of a seminar in the Gods' Collections programme.

Places of worship of all traditions have always accumulated collections. Today some have generated great art museums, while others just keep a few old things in a sacristy cupboard. The Gods' Collections project looks at why and how these collections have developed, how they have been looked after, and how understanding of them has changed over the millennia.

My tour (which was originally developed for the Friends of St Martin-in-the-Fields) has now been turned into a case study for the God's Collections website. The case study sets the commissions programme at St Martin-in-the-Fields in the wider context of the renewal of sacred art within the twentieth century. The case study also develops further articles originally written for Artlyst and Art+Christianity.

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Choral Scholars of St Martin-in-the-Fields - Morning Song.

Sunday, 13 November 2022

Unveiled - Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions

On Friday I gave an illustrated talk at Unveiled entitled Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions. For any who missed the talk but who would be interested to know more, the talk has been published by ArtWay and can be read by clicking here.

The final Unveiled events at St Andrew's Wickford in 2022 are as follows:

On Friday 18 November, 7.00 pm, Rev Simpkins & the Phantom Notes perform Saltings. Rev Simpkins’ music mixes the colourful folk tradition of Appalachians Mountains with the melodiousness and carefully-observed lyrics of the Kinks. Close harmonies intertwine with banjo, French horn, and bass. At this concert the band will perform the Rev’s acclaimed fourth album and book, Saltings in its entirety. Created with the Illustrator, Tom Knight, Saltings is a loving portrait of the mystery and beauty of Essex's salt marsh wilderness, and a meditation on the real human cost of the wilderness time of the pandemic. Found within 50 miles of London, the saltings are one of England’s last natural wild spaces. Working as a parish priest a few miles away, Matt came to the saltings to retreat and compose these compelling and compassionate songs about his community’s real-life experiences during the pandemic. Saltings portrays hope found amid wilderness.

Then, on Friday 2 December, 7.00 pm we have The Encounter, a show that explores the story of Christmas in a fresh way using dance and mime. Throughout the show you will experience a variety of Christmas stories in a contemporary and engaging way for the whole family. Performed by Steven Turner, who has performed across the UK and Europe including Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and France. Tickets £6.50. To book your ticket go to www.nextstepcreative.co.uk/events.

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Rev Simpkins - The Apple Tree.

Monday, 31 October 2022

Unveiled: Space Art, Commissions, Saltings, The Encounter

We've had some tremendous Unveiled events at St Andrew's Wickford this Autumn and have more to come before the end of the year.

Next up is Jackie E. Burns in conversation. Jackie is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and will be talking to us this Friday (4 November), 7.00 pm, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN. Hear about her work in Space Art fostering the inquisitive joy of art and astronomy, involvement in the International Association of Astronomical Artists, and involvement in community art projects in Essex.

Then I’ll be talking on ‘Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions’ on Friday 11 November, 7.00 pm. Modern art commissions have led to debates about the Church working with artists that have significant mainstream reputations versus those without, and between secular artists and artists who are Christians. In this illustrated presentation I’ll be showing work made for churches by all these groups of artists and examining the resulting debates.

On Friday 18 November, 7.00 pm, Rev Simpkins & the Phantom Folk perform Saltings. Rev Simpkins’ music mixes the colourful folk tradition of Appalachians Mountains with the melodiousness and carefully-observed lyrics of the Kinks. Close harmonies intertwine with banjo, French horn, and bass. At this concert the band will perform the Rev’s acclaimed fourth album and book, Saltings in its entirety. Created with the Illustrator, Tom Knight, Saltings is a loving portrait of the mystery and beauty of Essex's salt marsh wilderness, and a meditation on the real human cost of the wilderness time of the pandemic. Found within 50 miles of London, the saltings are one of England’s last natural wild spaces. Working as a parish priest a few miles away, Matt came to the saltings to retreat and compose these compelling and compassionate songs about his community’s real-life experiences during the pandemic. Saltings portrays hope found amid wilderness.

Finally, on Friday 2 December, 7.00 pm we have The Encounter, a show that explores the story of Christmas in a fresh way using dance and mime. Throughout the show you will experience a variety of Christmas stories in a contemporary and engaging way for the whole family. Performed by Steven Turner, who has performed across the UK and Europe including Switzerland, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and France. Tickets £6.50. To book your ticket go to www.nextstepcreative.co.uk/events.

I look forward to seeing you at some of these events.

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Rev Simpkins - Song of Songs.

Sunday, 30 October 2022

Henry Shelton artist

Last Friday in the Unveiled session at St Andrew's Wickford I talked with Henry Shelton about his life and art.

Henry 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. Together, we formed commission4mission, an artist's collective that generated church commissions, exhibitions, events and resources. Henry's 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, painting 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.

An earlier interview that I undertook with Henry can be read here and here, while a Church Times profile on him can be found here.

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Ed Kowalczyk - Grace.