North Vancouver, B.C.
12' x 4' Ordinary Time Fabric Hanging (1999)
|
|
Artist's original sketch
Completed hanging as seen in Lynn Valley United Church
Artist's Description of Hanging During the consultation process in the beginning of this project the topic given was: the history of our church, the millenium, and our future as a Christian community. It is no easy task to portray all this! This congregation's current church building is located on the site of a former logging mill in North Vancouver. Significant elements of the design are the trees, the mountain, the valley, the water falling over stones, the sky and the life of a community nestled in the wonders of nature, gathering its strength and its livelihood. But beyond that are the rocks, roots and symbols of a Christian community. Most obvious are the steps, windows, and roofline of the first church building. Also visible are the rose coloured brick which symbolize the present building. The waterfall symbolizes not only church life in that location, but the Baptismal waters in Christ. In the design, the water is also seen to be part of a circle which includes the sun. The circle reminds us that Baptismal waters are the symbol of renewal which comes with God's unending love for us. The trees are very much a part of their surroundings and indeed were the lifeblood of the community at its birth. As a sign of rebirth and renewal, the life cycle of the tree has been used: the pinecones with seeds scattering in the winds of the Spirit, the new young green seedling, and the tall trees. The pinecones hold the seeds, the promise, and the life for the future. The seeds of the future would not exist without the old growth roots of the past. The illusion of the Spirit of God is present in this hanging as well. It wafts in white through the church, the trees, the water, the people, the air around us to remind us it is always there. It takes the shape of the dove of baptism as it rises off the waters. It moves through us and includes us in it's life of constantness and change. God's love and Holy Spirit with us is constant, even while life around us changes continually.
|
