16 March 2018
Dazzling and inspirational Methodist Art Collection now online
A masculine Christ, a radiating Abel eyed by a simmering Cainand a floating vision of a dove are just a few of the works of artnow online in the Methodist Art Collection:
Art lovers have already been inspired by the Collection, whichbegan in the 1960s following the enthusiasm of Methodists Dr JohnGibbs and Revd Douglas Wollen and the help of a charitable fund. Itincludes more than 40 works by Graham Sutherland, Elisabeth Frinkand many other renowned artists from William Roberts's 'TheCrucifixion' in the early 1920s to Ghislaine Howard's 2004 'Thewashing of the Feet'. The modern creative expressions of Christianfaith come alive through a range of materials; from oil through totempera and gouache, acrylic through to aluminium.
Toby Scott, Director of Communications and Campaigns, said: "Thetouring Collection if often on display, but its online debut makesis available to everyone at any one time. The works challenge theway we think of God, and how we visualise Jesus. Religious art hasbeen at a cornerstone of western art for centuries, but these worksof art continue to find new ways to depict the divine. The websiteis delight for art lovers and anyone seeking a different way tothink about faith."
Most of the online works are accompanied by commentaries, eitherfrom the artists themselves or by art critic Francis Hoyland.
David Webster, Internet Communications Coordinator, said: "This isa great new resource for people, whether Christian or not. Lookingat the images in the art collection is an exciting way to reflecton the Christian message. Now they are accessible online this willalso make more people aware of the Collection, and hopefullyinspire them to visit the touring exhibition."
Information on the work and on the artist can be found, togetherwith a relevant Bible passage, in 'The Methodist Church Collectionof Modern Christian Art: An Introduction' by Roger Wollen,published in 2000 by the Trustees of the Collection (ISBN0-9538135-0-9). In full colour, it is obtainable at £3.50 fromMethodist Publishing www.methodistpublishing.org.uk.