Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions

I will be giving a talk entitled Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions at 2.00pm, Monday 1 May in the Weston Room at Norwich Cathedral as part of commission4mission's exhibition 'The Cross: designs & reflections'.

St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London has been described as one of the few in which the genius of Sir Christopher Wren shines in full splendour. As Priest-in-charge at St Stephen Walbrook, I am regularly called on to tell the story of how this English 17th-century masterpiece by Wren acquired a modern altar by Henry Moore complemented by a circular re-ordering and further commissions from Patrick Heron, Hans Coper and Andrew Varah. In this lecture I will show how this story brings into focus some of the key issues and questions regarding modern or contemporary commissions while furthering discussion of those same issues.

Other talks in the exhibition programme include:

Icons in the Making – 5pm, Saturday 29 April (Weston Room)

Icons in the Making by Dr Irina Bradley: The lecture will explore the history of Byzantine art as well as the icon painting process with its rich symbolism and spirituality. Dr Bradley is a scholar and an icon painter, who was awarded a PhD for her thesis Spiritual Striving in Icon Painting with the emphasis on images of St George and the Dragon and a series of icons and contemporary paintings she created. Upon her graduation Dr Bradley’s work was exhibited at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, where she undertook her studies and where she is a visiting tutor for the MA and general public programs. Dr Bradley’s work is worldwide including churches, private chapels and private collections.



Exposition on ‘The Bridge’, 12 & 19 May, 1.00pm (The Hostry)

Exposition of ‘The Bridge’: Anthony Hodgson will take the viewer on a journey exploring the themes of his painting ‘The Bridge’ by using spoken word, poetry and song.

Interpretations of the Cross in Contemporary Art and Culture, 2.30pm, 20 May (Weston Room)

​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 McTernan will look at some examples and see how, in unexpected and sometimes shocking ways, Jesus’ story becomes part of theirs – and ours.​

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Lou Reed - Dime Store Mystery.

'The Cross': Artists' interpretations

At the Private View for 'The Cross: designs & reflections' I said that "artists and artworks are at their best when they take us out of our comfort zones and into new places which bring new understanding."

Some of the artists in the exhibition have given their own interpretations and perceptions of the works they have included in this exhibition. They include:

• Michael Garaway - "These images present a moment of silent darkness after the event, perhaps late on the eve of the Jewish sabbath. The bodies are gone from the scene, and the visual array of items bear witness to the common, almost workaday process of execution, as it might have been from a Roman soldier's point of view."
• Deborah Harrison - "This metal sculpture has been created to merge two Biblical images from the Old and New Testament: Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert even so must the son of man be lifted up John 3:14 We can make the link that Christ offered himself as an offering on the pole (cross) for the healing of all who suffered."

My thoughts on the two concrete poems I have included in the show can be found by clicking here.

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Mavis Staples - Have A Little Faith.

The Cross: designs & reflections - Set-up & Preview

You are invited to the Preview of ‘The Cross: designs & reflections’ at 6.30pm in The Hostry at Norwich Cathedral on Wednesday 19 April.

‘The Cross: designs & reflections’ is an exhibition of works, talks and seminars by members of commission4mission which will be held in The Hostry from 20 April to 29 May 2017.

The exhibition is based on personal responses to the cross through designs, concept drawings, digital prints, wood & stone carvings, pottery & jewellery, textiles, sculpture, paintings and drawings.

The exhibition is free to attend. It will be open from 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am – 3.00pm on Sundays.

The exhibition includes work by: Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Jonathan Evens, Terry Ffyffe, Rob Floyd, Dorothy Gager (USA), Maurizio Galia (Italy), Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Michelle Gillam-Hull, Clorinda Goodman, Judy Goring, Deborah Harrison, Tim Harrold, Anthony Hodgson, Jean Lamb, Mark Lewis, David Millidge, Victoria Norton, Colin Riches, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. In addition, a church congregation project has been completed by members of St Mark’s Church, Oulton Broad, Suffolk where people of all ages contributed individual crosses for a large banner to be displayed at this exhibition, as well as later in their church.

commission4mission is also organising a programme of art talks during the exhibition. These will include interpretations of The Cross in contemporary art and culture, exploration of issues in contemporary commissioning, and an exposition on themes from ‘The Bridge’ using spoken word, poetry and song. The programme includes:

• Understanding abstraction as a door to the spiritual – 2.30pm, Thursday April 20th (The Hostry) – Understanding abstraction as a door to the spiritual: Mark Lewis will offer thoughts about the way in which abstraction, particularly in its non-objective form, can give access to spiritual experience or awareness. In doing so, he will use his works included in ‘The Cross’ exhibition to illustrate his thoughts and ideas.
• Icons in the Making – 5pm, Saturday 29 April (Weston Room) – Icons in the Making by Dr Irina Bradley: The lecture will explore the history of Byzantine art as well as the icon painting process with its rich symbolism and spirituality. Dr Bradley is a scholar and an icon painter, who was awarded a PhD for her thesis Spiritual Striving in Icon Painting with the emphasis on images of St George and the Dragon and a series of icons and contemporary paintings she created. Upon her graduation Dr Bradley’s work was exhibited at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, where she undertook her studies and where she is a visiting tutor for the MA and general public programs. Dr Bradley’s work is worldwide including churches, private chapels and private collections.
• Congruity and controversy: exploring issues for contemporary commissions – 2.00pm, Monday 1 May (Weston Room) – St Stephen Walbrook in the City of London has been described as one of the few in which the genius of Sir Christopher Wren shines in full splendour. As Priest-in-charge at St Stephen Walbrook, Revd Jonathan Evens is regularly called on to tell the story of how this English 17th-century masterpiece by Wren acquired a modern altar by Henry Moore complemented by a circular re-ordering and further commissions from Patrick Heron, Hans Coper and Andrew Varah. In this lecture Jonathan will show how this story brings into focus some of the key issues and questions regarding modern or contemporary commissions while furthering discussion of those same issues.
• Exposition on ‘The Bridge’, 12 & 19 May, 1.00pm (The Hostry) – Exposition of ‘The Bridge’: Anthony Hodgson will take the viewer on a journey exploring the themes of his painting ‘The Bridge’ by using spoken word, poetry and song.
• Interpretations of the Cross in Contemporary Art and Culture, 2.30pm, 20 May (Weston Room) – ​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 McTernan will look at some examples and see how, in unexpected and sometimes shocking ways, Jesus’ story becomes part of theirs – and ours.​

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Van Morrison - Full Force Gale.

The Cross: designs & reflections

You are invited to the Private View of ‘The Cross: designs & reflections’ at 6.30pm in The Hostry on Wednesday 19 April. Please RSVP to jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

The Cross: designs & reflections is an exhibition of works, talks and seminars by members of commission4mission which will be held in The Hostry at Norwich Cathedral from 20 April to 29 May 2017.

The exhibition is based on personal responses to the cross through designs, concept drawings, digital prints, wood & stone carvings, pottery & jewellery, paintings and drawings.

The exhibition is free to attend. It will be open from 9.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10.00am – 3.00pm on Sundays.

Harvey Bradley, who is curating the exhibition, writes:

“Years ago I studied silversmithing and still remember the exciting designs that we students produced – mostly never seen outside the college. We have used the enthusiasm and inspiration of commission4mission members, many of whom have graduated from Art Colleges, to create this prestigious exhibition in Norwich, showcasing their skills, talents and ingenuity. I feel sure that this will interest and inspire general visitors to the cathedral, as well as those involved in Art and Design”.

The cross as a Christian symbol offers a wide range of visual interpretations with many potential commentaries attached to its use. We also recognise that the symbol of the cross is accessible to both peoples of faith and of no declared faith.

Our exhibition demonstrates a high quality of design and craftsmanship and gives personal insights into what the cross means to the artists. There will be finished work, design concepts and background ideas. Included are historical and cultural references to Greek, Latin, Jerusalem and Coptic versions of this powerful symbol.”

The exhibition includes work by: Hayley Bowen, Harvey Bradley, Irina Bradley, Jonathan Evens, Terry Ffyffe, Rob Floyd, Dorothy Gager (USA), Maurizio Galia (Italy), Michael Garaway, John Gentry, Michelle Gillam-Hull, Clorinda Goodman, Judy Goring, Deborah Harrison, Tim Harrold, Anthony Hodgson, Jean Lamb, Mark Lewis, David Millidge, Victoria Norton, Colin Riches, Janet Roberts, Henry Shelton and Peter Webb. In addition, a church congregation project has been completed by members of St Mark’s Church, Oulton Broad, Suffolk where people of all ages contributed individual crosses for a large banner to be displayed at this exhibition, as well as later in their church.

commission4mission is also organising a programme of art talks during the exhibition. These will include interpretations of The Cross in contemporary art and culture, exploration of issues in contemporary commissioning, and an exposition on themes from ‘The Bridge’ using spoken word, poetry and song.

The programme begins with ‘Understanding abstraction as a door to the spiritual’. On Thursday April 20th in The Hostry, Mark Lewis will offer thoughts about the way in which abstraction, particularly in its non-objective form, can give access to spiritual experience or awareness. In doing so, he will use his works included in ‘The Cross’ exhibition to illustrate his thoughts and ideas.

‘Icons in the Making’, a talk by Dr Irina Bradley will be held at 5.00pm, Saturday 29 April, in the Weston Room. This lecture will explore the history of Byzantine art as well as the icon painting process with its rich symbolism and spirituality. Dr Bradley is a scholar and an icon painter, who was awarded a PhD for her thesis Spiritual Striving in Icon Painting with the emphasis on images of St George and the Dragon and a series of icons and contemporary paintings she created. Upon her graduation Dr Bradley’s work was exhibited at the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts in London, where she undertook her studies and where she is a visiting tutor for the MA and general public programs. Dr Bradley’s work is worldwide including churches, private chapels and private collections.

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Sarah Masen - Hope.