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The
Commission
A
wallhanging
for the
interior
of
Willesborough
Baptist
Church |
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The
Inspiration
Philippians
Chapter
2
'Let our
attitude
to life
be that
of
Christ
Jesus.'
and
The
painting
by Paul
Klee
entitled
'Ad
Parnassum'
This work was
produced during his time at the Bauhaus. His work during this time
was more geometric than before, with the number of forms greatly
reduced.
I like this picture
for its colour, line and texture. It has great depth, it appears to
have been made in many layers.
The base of the picture appears like large overlapping pieces of
transparent materials going in a vertical direction.
The top layer appears as smaller applied pieces allowing the base
to show through, creating a 3D effect. These smaller pieces follow
the same direction as the layer beneath, apart from where a
particular shape needs emphasising, as with the sun or the arch of
the door.
The colour is limited
to one half of the colour wheel, from turquoise to orange, including
the jade greens and yellows.
The colours are quite tonal, blending well with the neighbouring
colour.
When a
colour
needs to
be
emphasised
Klee
uses the
opposite
on the
colour
wheel to
allow
objects
to stand
out or
recede,
as in
the sun
shape. |
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Ad
Parnussum
by Paul
Klee |
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This picture has been a great inspiration to me, teaching me to use
shape more sparingly, colour more boldly and set me on a mission to
discover fresh ways of displaying depth in pictures. |
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Working
with the
inspiration |
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In Philippians
Chapter 2 of the new testament, the chapter begins with a series of
'if's'.
'If you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ.'
'If any comfort from his love.'
'If any fellowship with the Spirit.'
'If any tenderness or compassion.'
'Then make my joy complete by being like minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and purpose.'
Because we say we
enjoy these benefits mentioned above, we should express this
enjoyment by being 'one in spirit and purpose.' Privilege brings
responsibility and responsibility requires self sacrifice.
The
hanging consists of a series of squares, similar to a mosaic, but
unlike a mosaic or in Ad Parnassum, where the direction of the
squares emphasises a shape, these squares go in the same direction.
(being one in spirit and purpose.)
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Being like minded
does not mean being exactly the same. David Watson said,
'The church does not
consist of one member but many; this should not destroy unity but
enrich it. Each member is different, yet each is indispensable. In
this way there should be no discord, providing that members have the
same care for one another. The important thing is that each member
should trust and recognise the other members, having no time for the
exclusive arrogance that says, 'I have no need of you.'
The squares are
all different, the colour spectrum is complete, embracing all
colours on the colour wheel, (not half as in Ad Parnassum,)
illustrating all are welcome and accepted.
The texture and pattern of the fabric varies considerably,
illustrating diversity in character and temperament, and the hidden
depths of others revealed, as we take time to get to know them.
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Philippians.
'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should
not only look to your own interests, but also to the interest of
others.'
Each square looks
attractive on it's own, but positioned next to another enhances the
qualities they contain, certain colours stand out better, or texture
made more evident.
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It has been said, 'True greatness in God's eyes, is seen in a life of service,
expressed in the life of a loving, humble, gentle, serving spirit.'
'What God wants to see is his love flowing freely to other people,
however costly or sacrificial this might be to ourselves. Nothing
less than this can bring true life, His life to those around us.'
The colour of the
squares around the cross is red. Red is a colour associated with
sacrifice. The closer we get to the image we wish to display, the
greater the sacrifice.
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Philippians Ch 2 v 5
-11 ( The Message translation )
'Think of yourselves
the way Christ Jesus thought of Himself. He had equal status with
God but did not think so much of himself that he had to cling to the
advantages of status, no matter what. Not at all. When the time
came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of
a slave, became human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He did
not claim special privileges, instead He lived a selfless, obedient
life, and died a selfless obedient death - the worst death at that,
a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honoured him far
beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in
heaven and on earth - even those long ago dead and buried, - will
bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that
He is master of all, to the glorious honour of God the Father.'
In John Stott's book
'Basic Christianity,' he says,
'Christ succeeded
where we invariably fail. He had complete self mastery. He never
retaliated. He never grew resentful or irritable. He had such
control over himself that whatever men may think, or say, or do, He
would deny Himself and abandon Himself to the will of God, and the
welfare of mankind.
'I will not seek my own will,' He said, and, 'I do not seek my own
glory.'
As Paul the apostle wrote, 'He did not please Himself.'
The utter disregard of self in the service of God and man is what
the bible calls love. The essence of love is self sacrifice. The
worst of men is adorned by an occasional flash of such nobility, but
the life of Jesus irradiated it with a never fading incandescent
glow.
Jesus was sinless because he was selfless. Such selflessness is
love. And God is love.'
The example Christ
gives seems way beyond our reach, but God is able to equip us for a
life of sacrifice and service.
In The Message
translation it says,
'Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive
before God, that energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you,
God himself willing and working at what will give Him most
pleasure.'
Verse 14 in
Philippians says,'
'Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may
become blameless and pure, children of God without fault, in a
crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in
the universe, as you hold out the word of life.'
The squares are
regular in shape, fitting next to one another, supporting one
another, (shoulder to shoulder). They are able to display the
shape of the cross, or, 'to hold out the word of life.'
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I have found the
meaning behind this piece of work a tremendous challenge personally.
As I ponder on what God has revealed to me I find myself lacking.
My prayer is,
'That I grow in the love and knowledge of God.'
'That I may grow in the love and knowledge of others,
not measuring
the worth of people by who they are,
what they do, or what they
have, instead of just for themselves.'
'And that I may grow in the love and knowledge of self.'
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