Tuesday 13th -Friday 16th August
TRIPTYCH OF
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
About Time
Hove based painter Annelies Clarke was born in Holland, studied in Rotterdam and at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, where she was introduced to the tools of the trade in making her own paints, mediums and varnishes. She still does this today and has worked in the UK since 1980. The Book of Revelation has been her inspiration for both an illuminated manuscript and a triptych. This three panel painting depicting 122 texts from the last book in the Bible, was on display in the Refectory of St Vincent's Chapel Stockbridge.
From the Edinburgh Guide
At the opening of this exhibition, Professor Paul Foster of the University of Edinburgh gave an introductory talk looking at how Revelation is often consigned to “the theological rubbish-bin” – seemingly just being concerned with power and might. But while he thought that the troublesome text might initially appear divisive – laden with strange concepts, and taking us to a world not our own – it actually speaks to us about holiness in the face of tribulation and perseverance, singing of sings of souls no longer denigrated and dehumanised, and the hope of a new order characterised by justice.
The Professor suggested that the Book needs to wash over us – that we understand it more by fluid immersion than by dry analysis – which, bringing us to the Triptych, is why the artist’s eye is so important and relevant: the painting strives to give voice to the voiceless, and love to the loveless: in a way that words can’t convey.
Before we heard from the artist herself, the Choir sang Edgar Bainton’s ‘And I saw a new heaven’. Based on the Book of Revelation, this was also interesting to hear sung on another level, it being one of the few works from Bainton’s many compositions that has held popularity through to the present day.
Annelies spoke about her inspiration that lay behind the painting: moved in 2010 to paint the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, she soon realised that the entire Book of Revelation was waiting to be read, and she wanted to paint the whole. So the vision was, in one great work, to add colour and substance to what was described, realising that it would take forever to continue with individual illustrations and paintings. Hence the concept of the Triptych.
It is a truly remarkable piece of art – one of those whereby the more you delve deeper, the more you discover. Even her grandson was enthused by the dragon in the bottom corner – proving that art can speak to any one, and in every age.Three explanatory videos accompanied the exhibit, and these were available to watch in the Chapel Undercroft – along with the opportunity to view other paintings produced by the artist.
TRIPTYCH OF
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
About Time
Hove based painter Annelies Clarke was born in Holland, studied in Rotterdam and at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence, where she was introduced to the tools of the trade in making her own paints, mediums and varnishes. She still does this today and has worked in the UK since 1980. The Book of Revelation has been her inspiration for both an illuminated manuscript and a triptych. This three panel painting depicting 122 texts from the last book in the Bible, was on display in the Refectory of St Vincent's Chapel Stockbridge.
From the Edinburgh Guide
At the opening of this exhibition, Professor Paul Foster of the University of Edinburgh gave an introductory talk looking at how Revelation is often consigned to “the theological rubbish-bin” – seemingly just being concerned with power and might. But while he thought that the troublesome text might initially appear divisive – laden with strange concepts, and taking us to a world not our own – it actually speaks to us about holiness in the face of tribulation and perseverance, singing of sings of souls no longer denigrated and dehumanised, and the hope of a new order characterised by justice.
The Professor suggested that the Book needs to wash over us – that we understand it more by fluid immersion than by dry analysis – which, bringing us to the Triptych, is why the artist’s eye is so important and relevant: the painting strives to give voice to the voiceless, and love to the loveless: in a way that words can’t convey.
Before we heard from the artist herself, the Choir sang Edgar Bainton’s ‘And I saw a new heaven’. Based on the Book of Revelation, this was also interesting to hear sung on another level, it being one of the few works from Bainton’s many compositions that has held popularity through to the present day.
Annelies spoke about her inspiration that lay behind the painting: moved in 2010 to paint the Horsemen of the Apocalypse, she soon realised that the entire Book of Revelation was waiting to be read, and she wanted to paint the whole. So the vision was, in one great work, to add colour and substance to what was described, realising that it would take forever to continue with individual illustrations and paintings. Hence the concept of the Triptych.
It is a truly remarkable piece of art – one of those whereby the more you delve deeper, the more you discover. Even her grandson was enthused by the dragon in the bottom corner – proving that art can speak to any one, and in every age.Three explanatory videos accompanied the exhibit, and these were available to watch in the Chapel Undercroft – along with the opportunity to view other paintings produced by the artist.