Vision - commission4mission at St Stephen Walbrook

 

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 include work by Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Christopher Clack, Mary Davey, Terrence Ffyffe, Rob Floyd, Maurizio Galia, Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Clorinda Goodman, Judy Goring, Laura Grenci, Deborah Harrison, Tim Harrold, David Hawkins, Adeliza Mole, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton and Monica Thornton, among others.

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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Bruce Springsteen - The Promised Land.

commission4mission's 'Reflection' exhibition

 

Classical, modern and contemporary art and architecture beautifully combine for 'Reflection' commission4mission’s fourth group exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook (39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN). Tuesday 6 – Friday 16 September (Weekdays 10am – 4pm, Wednesdays 11am – 3pm).

An exhibition reception (6.30pm) and commission4mission’s AGM (5.30pm) will be held on Tuesday 6 September. The exhibition launch reception, to which all are welcome, will include a talk by writer, broadcaster and commentator Richard D. North. Richard describes himself as “a complicated conservative, and a bit hippy and arty round the edges, with an increasing interest in the idea of spirituality.”

Our secretary, Rev Jonathan Evens, will give an illustrated talk at 1pm (repeated at 5pm) on Wednesday 14 September at St Stephen Walbrook entitled ‘Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions.’ Modern commissions by Henry Moore, Patrick Heron, Hans Coper and Andrew Varah at St Stephen Walbrook bring into focus some of the key issues and questions regarding modern or contemporary commissions. Jonathan will explore these issues in his talk, which will be in the context of the ‘Reflection’ exhibition.

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: Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley,Irina Bradley, Christopher Clack, Mary Davey, Valerie Dean, Jonathan Evens,Terry Ffyffe, Rob Floyd, Maurizio Galia,Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Clorinda Goodman, Barbara Harris, Tim Harrold,Anthony Hodgson, Mark Lewis, David Millidge, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton,Sergiy Shkanov and Peter Webb.

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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Late, Late Service - Resurrection Day.

Exhibition - 'Gift'

Classical, modern and contemporary art and architecture beautifully combine for commission4mission’s third exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook.

‘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. c4m artists taking part will showcase their individual engagements with the theme.

Artists exhibiting include Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, 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 and Peter Webb.



Anita Collier will be showing work in the ‘Gift’ exhibition as a guest artist. The work she will be showing includes her ‘The Gift’ sculpture as a bronze. We first encountered Anita and her work through the Run with the Fire project, when she used the resources to run a community art exhibition and creative workshops.

Anita says: ‘The inspiration for my paintings range from what catches my attention in the world around me, to what captures my inner world in the form of a picture, idea or emotion. I then try to faithfully create from this connected place… so my work is often narrative and inspired by beauty, offering glimpses of another world that whispers to the heart.

I have also learnt that the process of painting with all its initial excitement, hopes, frustrations and delights, is of equal value as the final outcome. An opportunity to reflect and slow down from life’s other demands – time invested into what’s important, as well as what is urgent. This helps me appreciate and celebrate the preciousness of life. Maybe my paintings will go some way toward doing the same for you. I hope you find them uplifting and thought provoking, encouraging you to stop, look, and listen to your own heart and the world around.’

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.

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 our 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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Leonard Cohen and The Webb Sisters - If it Be Your Will.

'Gift' in the City

Classical, modern and contemporary art and architecture beautifully combine for commission4mission’s third exhibition in the setting of St Stephen Walbrook.

‘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. c4m artists taking part will showcase their individual engagements with the theme.

Artists exhibiting include Artists exhibiting include Ally Ashworth, Hayley Bowen, Christopher Clack,Valerie Dean, Rob Floyd, Maurizio Galia, John Gentry, Tim Harrold, Alan Hitching, Anthony Hodgson, David Millidge, Janet Roberts,Henry Shelton, Peter Webb, and myself.
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 an 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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The Barratt Band - Never Seen Your Face.

commission4mission: Arts in Worship event

On Saturday 14th March commission4mission have organised an interactive event at St Stephen Walbrook exploring the use of visual arts in worship which will run from 1.00pm to 4.30pm. 

The event will include:

• art workshops in a variety of styles and media (including calligraphy, design enlargement, drawing on board, line techniques and pastels) led by Hayley Bowen, John Gentry, Mark Lewis, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb;
• sessions showing and discussing use of visual multi-media meditations;
• viewing of the annual exhibition by the National Society of Painters, Sculptors & Printmakers;
• commission4mission and Oasis stalls;
• a Special General meeting to discuss proposed revised Charitable Objects for commission4mission; and
• a Service celebrating the Arts.

St Stephen Walbrook is a Wren church with a stone altar carved by Henry Moore and abstract kneelers designed by Patrick Heron. St Stephen Walbrook can be found at 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN (from Bank tube station, take exit 8 and the church is a few yards ahead).  The event is open to all.

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Colin Burns - I Wait For You.

commission4mission's January Newsletter

commission4mission's latest newsletter includes several exciting announcements and new partnerships:

New Day Dawning by Colin Joseph Burns "The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy." Psalm 65:8

'This month we announce three new developments which we believe will serve to enhance the work of commission4mission in the coming year.



Good news! The Charity Commission has approved commission4mission’s application to become a registered charity. In order to complete the process, we need to hold a general meeting at which we agree our charitable objects with members.

We plan to do this as part of a wider Arts Event and Service to take place at St Stephen’s Church, 39 Walbrook, London EC4N 8BN on Saturday 14 March from 1pm to 4.30 pm. All are warmly invited.

The programme will include drawing workshops using various media, a series of on-screen meditations to dip into, and conclude with a service of thanksgiving celebrating the arts. Please rsvp if you would like to attend.



This year presents a new challenge for c4m’s secretary Rev’d Jonathan Evens, who is to become Priest for Partnership Development at two central London churches. He will be Priest-in-Charge at St Stephen Walbrook and also an Associate Minister at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

While Jonathan has said it will be a wrench to leave his post at St John’s Seven Kings and his friends in the Redbridge Deanery, he recognises that this new role offers a unique opportunity which involves all of his key interests in ministry: ‘This will include forming partnerships between the two churches as well as with businesses in the City of London and cultural organisations around Trafalgar Square. Both churches have significant cultural programmes and a history of artistic commissions, and I hope to play a part in promoting and developing their artistic engagement,’ he says.

We congratulate Jonathan on his new appointment, and hope his experience and continuing involvement with commission4mission will assist him in this aim.



Oasis Trust to be c4m’s chosen charity for the next three years, subject to annual review. Since 2009 we have donated ten per cent of the proceedings from commissions and sales to a different charity each year, usually one that supports work with children and young people. This year we were able to make a gift to Oasis Trust, and we now look forward to developing an ongoing relationship which will be of mutual benefit. While supporting Oasis, we believe this partnership will help to broaden the scope of commission4mission and open up further opportunities for our artist members.

Stations of the Holocaust by Jean Lamb at Coventry Cathedral.

Hand carved and painted sculptures on the theme of Jesus’ last hours juxtaposed with scenes of the Jewish Holocaust
more...

Monday 16th February to Good Friday 3rd April 2015. Preview from 5pm with official opening at 6pm after Evening Prayer.

Coventry Cathedral, 1 Hill Top, Coventry, CV1 5AB. Tel 024 7652 1200

We hope many Artist Members and Associates will be able to make the event highlighted above at St Stephen Walbrook on Saturday 14 March, when we will revisit c4m’s aims and purpose as agreed by the Charity Commission. It is a great opportunity to get together, and promises to be a good afternoon.

We would like to hear from Members who may be interested in organising a c4m event in their locality – in a cathedral, a church, gallery or elsewhere. In particular we are looking for a church willing to host a Big Draw event in October, and for Members to volunteer to take part.'

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Colin Burns - Linger Here.