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Capital art in London’s cathedrals

by
21 September 2011

To mark its 300th anniversary, St Paul’s organised a photo­graphic competition, asking entrants to submit photographs that focused on the Cathedral itself.

The competition at Southwark celebrates the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. It was named the Lancelot Andrewes Award in honour of one of the translators, who is buried in the Cathedral. Entrants were invited to translate themes from the bib­lical stories of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah into any two-dimensional medium. They were encouraged to look at contem­porary themes, such as the treatment in the UK of “resident aliens”.

MICHAEL MURPHY, from London, was the overall win­ner of the St Paul’s com­petition. He took a photo­graph of the Cathedral’s dome illuminated red to mark World AIDS Day.

The Treasurer of St Paul’s and one of the judges, Canon Mark Oakley, said: “Among so many poignant photo­graphs of the Cathedral, this one stood out. It captures the Cathedral by night as it re­sponds to an urgent situation in the world.

“The darkness and snow seem to retreat from a warmer light than the streets can give and which is centred on the dome. It is almost as if the dome is on fire — not in a Blitz this time, but in solidarity with those who live with HIV/AIDS. Michael’s photo­graph beauti­fully structures a meditation.”

Mr Murphy was awarded one of an exclusive edition of 25 glass vases, specially made by the Venice-based firm of Salviati to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Paul’s.

His photograph, together with nine other winning images, is displayed in the crypt until later this year.

THE competition at South­wark awarded prizes in two cate­gories: adult artists and juniors. Winning and short­listed entries are exhibited in the Cathedral until the end of this month.

Vivienne Rowett won the adult award with a textile piece depicting dresses for Sarah and Hagar. She wins the oppor­tunity to submit up to ten pieces for an exhibition of her work in Southwark Cathedral Refectory in late 2012.

The winner of the junior award was Joshua Obayori, of Parish Church C of E Junior School, Croydon.

The winning entries in the St Paul’s Cathedral photographic competition will be on exhibition in St Paul’s Crypt, Monday to Saturday, 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., until late 2011.
www.stpauls.co.uk  

The Lancelot Andrewes Award exhibition will be held at Southwark Cathedral, Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., until 30 September.
http://cathedral.southwark.anglican.org

South Bank View of St Paul’s
Bob Fancy

“I noticed that the [Louise] Bourgeois Spider sculpture made an interesting frame for the dome of the Cathedral, and it struck me that the two people underneath the sculpture were looking at the Cathedral as if it had captivated them as much as the strikingly modern work of art.”

St Paul’s inside a modern cross
Laura Fitzpatrick

“I liked how the old and new structures entwined to­gether to make a really interesting new image of St Paul’s.”

A dress for Sarah and a dress for Hagar
Vivienne Rowett
“My thoughts are based on what unites and what divides Sarah and Hagar, mindful of the three Abra­hamic faiths claiming descent from them, with the history of sometimes bitter conflict. . . Hagar’s silver-centred eye reflects the God she en­counters. Sarah’s lines are straight and confining — she ulti­mately disap­pears, grieving in a black cave of death. Hagar’s lines are flowing; God-watered, she becomes an an­cestress of Abraham’s [traditional] stature."

Hagar, Ishmael and Abraham
Orpah, Ruth and Naomi
Ruth Joy
(
above and below)
"These images are part of a series entitled l'hitraot [the Hebraic term for farewell, which contains within it the hope of eventual reunion], inspired by a desire to interpret visually biblical narratives connected to the theme of separation . . . The image based on the story of Hagar, Ishmael, and Abraham focuses on the breakup of the family, and the feelings involved, including rejection, anxiety, and bewilderment. . . [The piece] based on the story of Orpah, Naomi, and Ruth [also involves] themes of dislocation, and the traumas of choosing between family and a loved individual."

The children of Abraham
Emil Lubbat

“You can see these things in the picture: in the desert, where Hagar and Ismail are wandering, the West Bank wall is on the left, the ruins of Gaza are on the right, with the Palestinian flag flying on top, a sign of hope in the worst of times. God’s promise is shown in the palm tree and the rock, which God used to give Hagar and Ismail food and water in the desert.”

Lot and his daughters
Tony Kenyon
This refers to Genesis 19.31-33 [Lot's oldest daughter sleeps with her father, after they have made him drunk]. The description of an action which for us is a criminal act and still has the power to shock. . . In recent years we have been made familiar with "date rape", usually directed at young women, in which drugs - especially alcohol - play a key part. A contemporary view would be that this was simply the abuse and exploiutation of an old man."

Mirrormirroronthewall
Dean Austin

"I was inspired to take the picture because it showed a different perspective of this magnificent building"

The saving of Hagar
Joshua Obayori
"
When Hagar needed to flee from Sarah, she could have died in the desert, but an angel appeared to Hagar at the well of a stream. I have used an illustrative and decorative style of the Escorial Beatus Illuminated Manuscripts."

 

South Bank View of St Paul’s
Bob Fancy

“I noticed that the [Louise] Bourgeois Spider sculpture made an interesting frame for the dome of the Cathedral, and it struck me that the two people underneath the sculpture were looking at the Cathedral as if it had captivated them as much as the strikingly modern work of art.”

St Paul’s inside a modern cross
Laura Fitzpatrick

“I liked how the old and new structures entwined to­gether to make a really interesting new image of St Paul’s.”

A dress for Sarah and a dress for Hagar
Vivienne Rowett
“My thoughts are based on what unites and what divides Sarah and Hagar, mindful of the three Abra­hamic faiths claiming descent from them, with the history of sometimes bitter conflict. . . Hagar’s silver-centred eye reflects the God she en­counters. Sarah’s lines are straight and confining — she ulti­mately disap­pears, grieving in a black cave of death. Hagar’s lines are flowing; God-watered, she becomes an an­cestress of Abraham’s [traditional] stature."

Hagar, Ishmael and Abraham
Orpah, Ruth and Naomi
Ruth Joy
(
above and below)
"These images are part of a series entitled l'hitraot [the Hebraic term for farewell, which contains within it the hope of eventual reunion], inspired by a desire to interpret visually biblical narratives connected to the theme of separation . . . The image based on the story of Hagar, Ishmael, and Abraham focuses on the breakup of the family, and the feelings involved, including rejection, anxiety, and bewilderment. . . [The piece] based on the story of Orpah, Naomi, and Ruth [also involves] themes of dislocation, and the traumas of choosing between family and a loved individual."

The children of Abraham
Emil Lubbat

“You can see these things in the picture: in the desert, where Hagar and Ismail are wandering, the West Bank wall is on the left, the ruins of Gaza are on the right, with the Palestinian flag flying on top, a sign of hope in the worst of times. God’s promise is shown in the palm tree and the rock, which God used to give Hagar and Ismail food and water in the desert.”

Lot and his daughters
Tony Kenyon
This refers to Genesis 19.31-33 [Lot's oldest daughter sleeps with her father, after they have made him drunk]. The description of an action which for us is a criminal act and still has the power to shock. . . In recent years we have been made familiar with "date rape", usually directed at young women, in which drugs - especially alcohol - play a key part. A contemporary view would be that this was simply the abuse and exploiutation of an old man."

Mirrormirroronthewall
Dean Austin

"I was inspired to take the picture because it showed a different perspective of this magnificent building"

The saving of Hagar
Joshua Obayori
"
When Hagar needed to flee from Sarah, she could have died in the desert, but an angel appeared to Hagar at the well of a stream. I have used an illustrative and decorative style of the Escorial Beatus Illuminated Manuscripts."

 

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