Lent Oasis

We enjoyed another ‘Oasis’ time of quiet scripture reflection, prayer and practical art at St Martin-in-the-Fields this afternoon. Art materials were available for us to explore, play with colour and be creative through collage, painting, drawing or writing. The 'Oasis' time began with Lectio Divina and imaginative contemplation of Mark 10. 46 - 52.

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Gregory Porter - He Looked Beyond All My Faults.

commission4mission's Vision exhibition & reception

Vision is an exhibition of artworks by members of commission4mission which will be held at St Stephen Walbrook (39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN) from Monday 4 to Friday 15 September 2017, Weekdays 10.00am – 4.00pm (Weds 11.00am – 3.00pm).

A group exhibition by commission4mission, Vision is intended as a broad theme open to wide interpretation, but will explore sight, visions and revelations. Artists taking part will showcase their individual engagements with the theme. The exhibition will feature assemblage, ceramics, collage, digital prints, etchings, film, icons, installations, paintings, photography, poetry and sculpture.

The exhibition will include work by 27 commission4mission artists including Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Christopher Clack, maryjean donaghey, Jonathan Evens, Terence Ffyffe, Rob Floyd, Maurizio Galia (Italy), Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Clorinda Goodman, Judy Goring, Laura Grenci (Italy), Barbara Harris, Deborah Harrison, Tim Harrold, David Hawkins, Jacek Kulikowski, Mark Lewis, Adeliza Mole, Colin Riches, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton, Monica Thornton and Peter Webb.

Former Bishop of Barking David Hawkins, commission4mission’s Patron, contributes Adam and Eve (after Masacio’s ‘Adam and Eve Expelled from the Garden of Eden’ 15th century), 35” x 15”, photograph and acrylic.

David writes: “During a woodland walk, in a moment, I saw standing before me Adam and Eve – shortly before they were expelled from the Garden of Eden. The serpent was there, as was the Tree of Good and Evil, the Tree of Calvary and the Tree of Life. The ivy, like evil, entwined the couple as they in turn clung to the tree.

The relationship of English Ivy (Hedera helix) to a tree has similarities to the behaviour of evil towards human life. Its habit is to attach itself to anything that stands, with the help of suction-like roots called ‘hold fasts’. Although it does not kill the tree, it competes for nutrients, water and sunlight, and so it may weaken the tree making it more prone to disease and branch dieback.”

A reception to launch the exhibition will be held on Monday 4 September from 6.30pm. During this reception commission4mission Associate member, Wendy McTernan, will give a talk entitled ‘Interpretations of the Cross in Contemporary Art & Culture’. In today’s secular society, it is perhaps surprising that artists still find themselves drawn to the Christian cross as a means of expression. The cross has never been an event about which one can remain neutral; from the start it was an offence. Contemporary artists’ interpretations have taken many forms. Wendy will look at some examples and see how, in unexpected and sometimes shocking ways, Jesus’ story becomes part of theirs – and ours. commission4mission’s AGM will also be held at 5.00pm.

Revd Jonathan Evens, commission4mission’s secretary says, “Classical, modern and contemporary art and architecture beautifully combine for commission4mission’s fifth group exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook. The theme of the show will be ‘Vision’ and, as in previous years, will feature a wide variety of work from longstanding and new members.”

commission4mission’s Chair, Peter Webb, says: “We are very fortunate to be able to exhibit regularly at St Stephen Walbrook. The exhibition always attracts a great deal of attention in the City. As before, interpretation of the theme is up to individual artists, and no doubt we will have the usual amazing variety and originality in the work submitted.”

A gift of 10 per cent of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the charity Oasis. commission4mission has made Oasis our charity of choice, meaning that charitable giving will be exclusively to Oasis for the time being.
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Damien Rice - On Children.

commission4mission's Reflection exhibition

Classical, modern and contemporary art and architecture beautifully combine for commission4mission’s fourth group exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook (39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN).

Tuesday 6 – Friday 16 September (Weekdays 10.00am – 4.00pm, Weds 11.00am – 3.00pm). An exhibition reception (6.30pm) and commission4mission’s AGM (5.30pm) will be held on Tuesday 6 September.

The theme of the show will be ‘Reflection’and, as in previous years, will feature a wide variety of work from longstanding and new members. ‘Reflection’ is intended as a broad theme open to wider interpretation. Our artists showcase their individual engagements with this theme and we hope that the range and variety of work, both in terms of content and media, will give pleasure and prompt reflection. Exhibiting artists include: Christopher Clack, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Tim Harrold, Anthony Hodgson and Peter Webb, among others.

Reflection:

• The throwing back by a body or surface of light, heat, or sound without absorbing it;
• An amount of light, heat, or sound that is reflected by a body or surface;
• An image seen in a mirror or shiny surface;
• A thing that is a consequence of or arises from something else;
• A thing bringing discredit to someone or something;
• Serious thought or consideration;
• An idea about something, especially one that is written down or expressed;
• The conceptual operation of inverting a system or event with respect to a plane, each element being transferred perpendicularly through the plane to a point the same distance the other side of it.

Reflection: consideration; contemplation; idea; impression; meditation; observation; opinion; rumination; view; absorption; cerebration; cogitation; deliberation; imagination; musing; pensiveness; speculation; study; brainwork; pondering.

commission4mission’s Chair, Peter Webb, says: “We are very fortunate to be able to exhibit regularly at St Stephen Walbrook. The exhibition always attracts a great deal of attention in the City. As before, interpretation of the theme is up to individual artists, and no doubt we will have the usual amazing variety and originality in the work submitted.”

A gift of 10 per cent of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the charity Oasis. commission4mission has made Oasis our charity of choice, meaning that charitable giving will be exclusively to Oasis for the time being.

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Bear's Dean - New Jerusalem.

'Gift' exhibition - first view

commission4mission’s third exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook was hung today.

The exhibition, which is entitled ‘Gift’, anticipates the traditional season of giving associated with the Christian festival of Christmas, but is intended as a broad theme open to wider interpretation. commission4mission artists taking part showcase their individual engagements with the theme.

Artists exhibiting are Ally Ashworth, Beverley Barr, Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Victoria Burton-Davey, Christopher Clack, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens, Rob Floyd, Maurizio Galia, John Gentry, Clorinda Goodman,Tim Harrold, Alan Hitching, Anthony Hodgson, Jean Lamb, Mark Lewis, David Millidge,Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton, Sergiy Shkanov and Peter Webb. The work includes assemblages, ceramics, an installation, mosaics, paintings and sculptures. In addition to much of the exhibited work, a range of artist cards (including commission4mission’s Christmas cards) and other craft items are also for sale.

Anita Collier is showing work in the ‘Gift’ exhibition as a guest artist. The work she is showing includes her ‘The Gift’ sculpture as a bronze.

A gift of 10 per cent of the proceeds from sales will be donated to the charity Oasis. commission4mission has made Oasis their charity of choice meaning that charitable giving will be exclusively to Oasis for the time being.

The exhibition is open from Monday 28th September to Friday 8th October (10.00am – 4.00pm, Monday – Friday).

The launch and evening reception will be held on 28th September (6.30pm), preceded by their AGM (5.30pm). All are welcome.

During the launch and evening reception, Rob Floyd will speak about making the Stations of the Cross cycle for Manchester Cathedral and Stations of the Resurrection cycle for Liverpool Cathedral. Rev. Rachel Mann, Poet in Residence at Manchester Cathedral says, “I heartily recommend that if you want to understand a little more about the applications of the word ‘Art’ in our language, spend time in communion with Rob Floyd’s paintings. You will be rewarded.”

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Belle & Sebastian - If You Find Yourself Caught in Love.