Exhibitions update: Jackie Burns, Mike Fogg and Ho Wai-On

Several of the artists who have exhibited at St Andrew's Wickford or as part of the One Beautiful World Arts Festival are either exhibiting currently or have documented their exhibition online: 

Lunar Lullabies, Sunday 8 June - Sunday 6 October 2024, Firstsite Gallery

Jackie Burns, who exhibited at St Andrew's last year, is exhibiting some of her aerospace artworks in a group exhibition of over 200 artworks and objects curated for the Lunar Lullabies Exhibition at Firstsite Gallery, Colchester.

Mike Fogg FCIPS, Compass Photography, Wednesday 10 July – Sunday 4 August, Rayleigh Windmill. 

Mike Fogg, who exhibited at Wickford Salvation Army as part of the One Beautiful World Festival, specialises in capturing images of landscapes wherever he travels. This exhibition includes images from Mike’s recent trip to New Zealand, such as Wairere Waterfall.

From Hong Kong to Wickford, exhibition webpage from Ho Wai-On

Ho Wai-On has documented her exhibition From Hong Kong to Wickford which we showed at St Andrew's last year. From Hong Kong to Wickford was an exhibition of Wai-On's lifetime interaction with UK and Hong Kong based artists/people that have resulted in many creative works. Her webpage contains most of the stories displayed about the exhibits and those who created them and some of the images. More of the images can be seen in the music video.

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Ho Wai-On - Wisdom And Love.

Firstsite: Lunar Lullabies

This summer, an exhibition inspired by the timeless poem The Star (more widely known as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) by writer Jane Taylor (1783-1824) will send space enthusiasts, young and old, on a cosmic odyssey.

Opening today at Firstsite in Colchester, the birthplace of Taylor and her poetic masterpiece, Lunar Lullabies, commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Essex writer's passing. It traces the artistic journey of Taylor's nursery rhyme and its profound influence on contemporary media, including comics, video games, and pop culture hits like Will Smith's "I'm Not a Star" and Nicki Minaj's "Starships."

The exhibition transforms the gallery into an immersive playscape of imagination and discovery, featuring interactive space objects, immersive extraterrestrial landscapes, and robot sculptures. Visitors are able to touch and discover objects ranging from meteorites and asteroid rocks to Lego Star Wars sets and bring their own cosmic creations to life.

Showcasing stunning artworks, historical artefacts and contemporary cultural nods, visitors discover how science, art and imagination have intertwined over the centuries to shape culture and our collective fascination with distant galaxies.

The exhibition is the result of a series of workshops with Firstsite youth programme YAK and families participating in Firstsite's innovative Holiday Fun programme – where they provide families facing financial challenges with fun, free days out full of art and sport along with a free family meal. YAK members and Holiday Fun families have made their own work, alongside producing collaborative artworks with commissioned artists.

The exhibition features a range of books and poetry by Taylor and her sister Ann to kick off a journey through the next 200 years.

The Star became hugely successful and a mainstay of childhood imagination, in part because of the etchings of the nursery rhyme. This art technique was impacted by science and space visions. A range of 19th-century etchings of comets in the night sky features in the exhibition.

There are a wide array of multimedia projects on display, all connecting space with the imagination. These include fantastical futuristic spaceship animation rooms by Mark Garlick, paintings of space rockets that move when viewed, and a ceramic work by British icon Grayson Perry with Alien Baby (2008) inspired by a maternity ward that he likened to a spaceship.

The work of Colchester-based Peter Elson (1947-1988), an illustrator who spent a career bridging childhood wonder of space with explorations of the future, is prominently featured. Decades of science fiction paperbacks from the 20th century have Elson's renderings on the cover, featuring planets, spaceships and star systems. Hugely influential on a new generation of sci-fi depicters, with brightly coloured backgrounds and sleek designs, he has been widely credited for providing the visual aesthetic to early video game productions in the 1990s.

Contemporary artists also show how the artistic obsession with what lies beyond the Earth's sky continues today. Essex-based artist Jackie Burns is a Fellow of the International Association for Astronomical Artists; her earlier works include science fiction book cover designs, and throughout her career, she has created work based on the scientific reality of space travel, such as through portraits of astronaut Tim Peake, as well as popular culture imagery such as characters from Star Wars. Burns led some of the workshops to develop the exhibition and her depiction of one of the most iconic spaceships in human history will feature; the one that fulfilled Blake's dreaming and took humankind onto the moon. The acrylic work Saturn V, Apollo 11, on Crawler to Launchpad 39A consists of different-sized circles of various colours that slowly reveal the image the longer you look.

In the 21st century, artists can now be found alongside scientists working towards space exploration, and the exhibition includes a number of paintings produced by British artist Matthew Turner during his residency at NASA.

A number of artists whose practices have developed at Firstsite will also be featured. The futuristic Colchester landscapes of local artist and Level Best alumni Henry Linstead will be shown, as well as work by those who attend Holiday Fun, including models of science fiction and gaming figures by the artist known as 'S' whose room installation which features over 1000 models, will immerse visitors into a world of dinosaurs and creatures whose fate was changed by an asteroid from space.

In total, the exhibition features over 100 artefacts and more than 100 artworks, the majority by artists from East Anglia, which explore our need for discovery, from the dreaming and wonderings of poets to the reality of scientific endeavour. Through a changing programme during the exhibition run, art and content from community groups and activities will also be on display. With this ambitious approach, Lunar Lullabies at Firstsite charts how the first nursery rhymes laid the foundations for the current stories that can be found in today's comics, video games and consciousness, with Colchester at the centre.

Firstsite Director Sally Shaw says, "Lunar Lullabies shows the true power of art and creativity—charting the journey from Jane Taylor's imagination in 1806 to the realities of scientific exploration today. By combining art and science, the exhibition brings STEAM to the heart of Colchester, using art as a method of learning and discovery to help us connect with the science of space exploration in a meaningful way.

"Working with local families and young people to make this exhibition has brought new voices and ideas, which are reflected in the vibrant and diverse selection of works – some which will spark nostalgia and others which will immerse you in a whole new futuristic world. Most importantly, this approach has created a really fun, inclusive space where our visitors can let their imaginations run wild!

“We hope Lunar Lullabies will inspire everyone to explore their creativity, with the knowledge that something imagined today may spark a creative chain reaction that ignites future explorations and discoveries, much like Jane Taylor's influence has done for centuries."

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Electric Light Orchestra - Mr Blue Sky.

Art Trail with exhibitions & poetry reading

Saturday 20 May: 9.30 am – 4.00 pm, Wickford and Runwell Art Trail

See artworks by Val Anthony, William Butterfield, Enid Chadwick, Antony Corbin, Christine Daniels, David Folley, David Garrard and Julia Glover at St Andrew’s, St Catherine’s and St Mary’s churches, plus the photographic exhibition at the Salvation Army, Jackie Burns’ Space Art at St Andrew’s, Tim Harrold’s assemblages at St Catherine’s and paintings by Pam Jones at St Mary’s.

Art talks/tours at St Andrew’s (10.00 am), St Catherine’s (11.30 am), and St Mary’s (2.00 pm). The artworks in these churches feature in a case study for the Gods' Collections project. Jackie Burns will paint live at St Andrew's Church throughout the day and Mike Fogg will give a talk on Composition in Photography at The Salvation Army at 11.00 am.

Jackie E. Burns is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists and seeks to foster the inquisitive joy of art and astronomy while inspiring people to the awe and beauty of space and astronomy. Her One Beautiful World exhibition of space art by Jackie E. Burns is at St Andrew's until 23 July 2023.

Friday 19 and Saturday 20 May, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm: One Beautiful World photographic exhibition by Compass Photography at The Salvation Army, Jersey Gardens, Wickford SS11 7AE.

Photographs by Mike Fogg and Terry Joyce of the Essex based Compass Photography Group whose approach is summed up in a quote attributed to Matt Hardy, a Dorset based photographer: “Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing beauty is what separates a snapshot from a photograph.”

Mike Fogg will give a free talk (50mins) at 11am in The Salvation Army on the Saturday, as follows:

Composition in Photography – Mike Fogg FCIPS: When you “take a photograph” you are really creating a work of art! Many of the same principles that apply to artists apply to photographers. In this session, Mike will use examples of his own “good” and “bad” photographs to highlight a number of easy to grasp techniques which will allow participants to improve their own photographs. In both 2019 and 2021 Mike won an international photography competitions with his images.

Saturday 20 May: 4.00 pm, St Catherine’s Church: One Beautiful World poetry reading with Tim Harrold and Jonathan Evens

Tim Harrold is a poet who creates images of profound challenge and change, of pause and process, of chrysalis and catalyst. His most recent publication is ‘Verses versus Viruses’. Jonathan Evens is a creative writer whose poems and stories have been published by Amethyst Review, International Times and Stride Magazine.

What to see at St Mary's, St Catherine's and St Andrew's:

St Mary's Runwell is a magnificent mediaeval building which boasts an interesting and mixed history. The church is often described by both visitors and regular worshippers as a powerful sacred space to which they have been drawn. This powerful impact comes in part from the art and architecture in the space.

The colouring of the screen at St Mary's and the murals the one pillar in the south aisle dates from the 1930s-1950s and was undertaken, by his sons, under the guidance of then Rector, Revd John Edward Bazille-Corbin to 'reproduce as closely as possible' the decoration of the medieval church. The painting of St Peter and the crucifix below it were by Anthony Corbin and are 'restorations of medieval work which had been well and truly scraped out, but the traces of which could, at that date, still be faintly seen.' The large painting of 'The Baptism of Our Lord' by Enid Chadwick of Walsingham was gifted to the church by Fr David John Silk Lloyd. Local woodworker David Garrard has crafted Stations of the Cross using the motif of the Runwell Cross which have been placed around the church. Garrard also built an altar for the side chapel together with an inscribed cross on the side chapel wall.

The building of St Catherine’s Wickford is beautiful and peaceful and is like a beacon on the hill. There has been a church on the site for hundreds of years but the present building dates back to 1876 and is Grade II listed; however, there are records showing a church has been in existence since 1154. Throughout most of its existence, the story of St Catherine's has been one of a small country church serving a village community. From the late 20th Century, this role has changed dramatically and today it ministers to a large bustling town. Although much of the village has been lost under bricks and tarmac, the church and churchyard still seem to retain an atmosphere of the rural heritage of Wickford's past.

The reredos at St Catherine's was given to the church by Vicar and Churchwardens of All Saints' Margaret Street. It is by William Butterfield, the architect of All Saints, and is said to be one of the finest of its kind. Additionally, on the West wall of the church is a small part of a wall painting, believed to have been salvaged from the previous building. The church also has a range of stained-glass, each with their own dedication, which range from the Madonna and Child to the Crucifixion and on to depictions of saints.

St Andrew’s Wickford was rebuilt in the 1960s: the church’s simple, spacious interior has been enhanced over the years by the skill of church members who have designed and made banners, window paintings, altar frontals and kneelers. St Andrew's has stained-glass by local artists Val Anthony and Christine Daniels and banners by Julia Glover, plus a hidden painting by internationally exhibited artist David Folley. Folley's large 'Descent from the Cross' is a major work by an artist who has exhibited widely across the UK and Europe, including at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, in London, in Sweden and Germany, and at important contemporary international art fairs in Edinburgh and Dublin.

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The Amazons - How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me?

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.

'Unveiled' - talks, conversations and concerts

Unveiled
A new, regular Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew’s Church, 7.00 – 9.00 pm, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN
Exhibitions, open mic nights, performances, talks and more!

• Unveiled – a wide range of artist and performers from Essex and wider, including Open Mic nights (come and have a go!).
• Unveiled – view our hidden painting by acclaimed artist David Folley, plus a range of other exhibitions.

Autumn Programme

Friday 21 October, 7.00 pm, St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN. Wickford Famous, a talk by Ken Porter of Basildon Heritage on famous people from Wickford.

Friday 28 October, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Henry Shelton in conversation. Meet the artist and hear about his work with Stephen Cottrell, Ranulph Fiennes, Trevor Huddleston, David Lean and others. Plus commissions in Goodmayes, Hutton, Romford, Stoke and elsewhere.

Friday 4 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Jackie E. Burns in conversation. Meet the artist and hear about her work as a Space Artist. Jackie is a Fellow of the International Association of Astronomical Artists whose members are dedicated to creating images of space - galaxies, stars, planets, moons – combining science and art to expand the human mind and soul.

Friday 11 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Jonathan Evens will give a presentation on 'Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions.' 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 his illustrated presentation Jonathan shows work made for churches by all these groups of artists and examines the resulting debates.

Friday 18 November, 7.00 pm, St Andrew's. Rev Simpkins & the Phantom Folk: 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.

The Reverend Matt Simpkins is the fourth generation of his family to be ordained priest in the Church of England. Prior to ordination, Matt was a professional musician having been a choral scholar at Oxford University and a Lecturer in Music. He collaborated with Kenney Jones of the Small Faces to reconstruct the orchestral parts of their 1968 psychedelic masterpiece Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake. In 2019 a diagnosis of cancer and a period of illness brought an opportunity to make new music and the Rev released the hope-filled album Big Sea in 2020, which was selected as one of Louder than War’s albums of 2020.

‘a triumph…hypnotic and compulsive listening’ Fatea on Saltings

‘tender...magnificent...outstanding’ Vive le Rock on Saltings

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Rev Simpkins - Gathering Grounds.