Dinnertime at College of the Resurrection



Meal are served in The Refectory Dining Hall

College principal Fr. Peter enjoys a chat with his students

Students take turns to serve meals

Tucking into a delicious Chinese buffet

And a dessert to die for.....

How do they all keep so slim...

Suddenly everyone gets ready to leave

Without a word they all head quickly in the same direction.

Straight to the Common Room for coffee, a look at the papers and a chat!

Gentlemen's corner

*Ordnand "Bear"
 

* Note: "Ordnand" is the term used to describe theological students studying to become Church of  England priests.

Art Hearts You

Detail of Chinese scroll paper banner work

Placement in final exhibition



 

 

White dots are holes to let light/space shine through

Discovery!

 

Close-up of work on opposite side (on heavy paper)

 

 

The above are a series of experimental ink banner works made on very light Chinese scroll paper. They were hung in such a way to encourage movement when people walked down the corridors. It actually worked even better than I ever imagined....

 

Although I never actually witnessed it happening, I was told by a few people that the banners would not only wave to and fro, but depending on the walking pace of the passerby, the banners would sometimes rise into the air and curl around the passer-by......how lovely -

 

my art embraces you.

 

 



Simon Sews Van Gogh



Fr. Simon shows photos of his embroidery handiwork

Fr. Simon's Magnus Opus (4ft x 3ft)

 

This took 5 years to complete



This work is based on a Van Gogh painting, with eyewatering detail

Another Van Gogh masterpiece! Painting with thread.

 

I wasn't the only creative person at Mirfield Monastery. Father Simon is a good example of what I mean. He brought me some photos of embroidery work he made a few years ago. I was astonished by the detail and the sensitivty that came across in the work.

 

The work is completely original. There are no kits or templates to provide the images and designs, so Fr. Simon drew the work, planned the composition, colours etc. and then gathered together the right coloured threads to cover every tone and nuance. My photos do not do justice to his work. 

 

Unfortunately, he no longer makes these due to eyestrain. Shame, that....

 

you should've been a painter, Father Simon.

"The Brethren" - An installation

My first encounter with Brethren's Graveyard was at twilight

 

Chinese ink and wash

Graveyard gateway. Like Basho's hut

Or an old Torii gate, connecting Heaven and Earth



Each wooden grave is protected by tin or lead roof slats

Silently erect, these steadfast sentrymen stand, pointing the Way



My installation in the Holy Cross Chapel, was a direct response to my encounter with a small and peaceful cemetery on the grounds. The spot is simply called "The Brethren's Graveyard". 



Graveyards usually tend to bring out feelings of sadness or grief, as they remind us of lost loved ones and bring home the true meaning of impermanence. Not this place, though. Maybe it was just me, but I found it a particularly peaceful, welcoming warm space and spent a lot of time there in the initial stages of my residency. Much of it contemplating on the meaning of life and death....

 

I've come to the conclusion (rightly or wrongly) that maybe Death isn't about annhilation after all.

 

I think it's about going Home. My installation is a homage to all the homeward bound Brethren from the beginingless past to the eternal future.  I salute you all.  

Modern Icons

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wasn't the only one with a camera!

This is what happened when the lights were dimmed

And then my camera went out of focus. Don't you love it when that happens.

The dates of my final show coincided with the monastery's celebration of All Saints Day & All Souls Day.During that period, the ordination students bring their own personal icons and decorate the church with them.

Being part of the celebration was an extremely lucky case of serendipity. I seriously cannot describe what it felt like, to attend the services and see everything lit up in multi-coloured splendour and have my works displayed alongside those beautiful icons...

The best part was witnessing the whole congregation worshipping beneath my work!  That's a once-in- a-lifetime experience, and I am extremely blessed to have been a part of it.