The virgin Mary in LA
Media notice:
Historic
London church hosts religious exhibition by provocative
modern artist
- Images
include paintings of Jesus on the Northern Line and the
Virgin Mary in a Los Angeles
hairdressers
What: “A
dialogue” contemporary art exhibition celebrating life and
death by artist Richard Bagguley
When: Friday
October 29th to Thursday November 11th.
Where: St.
Luke’s Church, Sydney Street, London SW3
6NH
XXX October: At the end of October, St Luke’s
Church in Chelsea, one of London’s oldest neo-gothic
churches, will host an exhibition by London artist Richard
Bagguley. Bagguley’s juxtaposition of religious
figures in modern settings is particularly arresting in the
context of this grand and traditional 200 year old gothic
style church where Charles Dickens married Catherine
Hogarth in 1836.
On display will be
a painting of Jesus travelling with commuters on the
Northern line and the Virgin Mary in a Los Angeles’
hairdressers. During the two week show Richard Bagguley
will also be painting a modern portrayal of St. Luke in the
church.
On the provocative
natures of some of the imagery the Rector of the Church
Revd Leathard explains “His works may seem startling in
their unusual juxtaposition of classic religious images in
21st century settings, but that is
our mission as Christians, to participate in the divine
life through our ordinary lives.”
Richard Bagguley
adds “I feel a sense of satisfaction that the church has
been open minded enough to acknowledge my work and that it
can stimulate the sort of open dialogue that I had hoped
for.
As the earliest
patron of the arts it has to be every figurative artist's
wish to display his work in the church but for me the treat
is that it is completely on my own terms, some of my
paintings I thought might certify my eternal damnation
rather than be displayed and promote discussion within the
church itself.”
It was Revd Dr
Brian Leathard who approached the artist about the
possibility of an exhibition, he says “These works,
striking and challenging, compel us to focus on that
interface between faith and life by setting uncompromising
visions before us. Richard Bagguley has the remarkable
ability to speak with authority into this question of
incarnation- how do we live God’s love in London
today?”
Bagguley is known
for his uncompromising images of today’s society and the
church will be invaded for two weeks at the end of October
by thought-provoking images of, for example, Jade Goody as
a saint, football fans with raised fists, and a 5ft by 8ft
contemporary crucifixion.
~Ends~