"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.

 

Wait - There's More!

Although the residency is officially over and I have physically left Community of the Resurrection Monastery in Mirfield, my heart & soul still resides there.

Besides, I've still have much to share with you - so, as they say in medialand, 'Don't touch that dial because the best is yet to come!.'

See you shortly....

Spacium Serenitas - The Show

Spacium Serenitas

The talk

The audience

Drinks

Discussion

The exhibition venue, Church of The Resurrection

The viewing



The end


 

Spacium Serenitas or, Serene Space - was the title I chose for my final show at the end of my art residency at Community of The Resurrection monastery. It seemed a fitting way to describe the place, the people and the general atmosphere that permeates the air throughout the environment.

I was quite nervous about having to give a talk, but the warm and peaceful audience helped me to settle down, and ultimately we all ended up having a geat time that nght.

I'd like to thank all the brothers, students of the college, residents and visitors for taking the time to come by and for all your kind words of praise and encouragement. And special thanks to Jan Oliva for the photographs.


I feel privileged to have been given this opportunity to create work for such an incredible venue, it's been a great honour indeed....and I hope this will be one of many other opportunities to work with all of you again at some point in the future. (Hint, hint!)

I shall forever carry a spacium serenitas space in my heart for CR Community. Thank you from the depths of my soul.

Oh, almost forgot - I promised to divulge the 'juicy bits' in my last post.......well, I'm afraid the only 'sex' you'll find here is on the retreat room registration forms. And the strongest 'drugs' available are headache pills....

but you're more than welcome to listen to the 'rock-n-roll' on my MP3 player.

Hang 'Em High & Dry





Close-up of one of the works



Hanging in the Resurrection Chapel, the night before the show.

 

Installation in-progress

Silence / Space

The next day, Jan assists with putting together installation components

Part of installation The Brethren in the Holy Cross Chapel

Surrender works near church Font

Brother Jacob works on mounting the triptych, Echoes of Creation



Securing the knots

The installation of an art exhibition - this is the nuts and bolts facet of any show. It's the sweaty, hard working, anxiety ridden part you don't normally get to hear about. Probably because it's not very glamourous or juicy really......

I'll get to the sex and drugs bit in my next post.  Promise.