NO.17 — SPRING 2017 NEWSLETTER £1.50 WHERE SOLD

Report on ‘Fully Alive’ in Bath Abbey A Curator in Focus Finding Frank Roper in Chippenham Newsletter 17 — Spring 2017 Running Head 1 Two Book Reviews NO.17 — SPRING 2017

EDITORIAL KINGSWOOD SCHOOL'S SHORT LOAN

We are delighted to be able to report We were delighted when that the much-anticipated film of the Kingswood, Bath arranged to take four paintings for display in the Trustees focus on your feedback Collection, in working mode, has School Chapel. This was set to finally become a reality. The whole coincide with the opening day of THANK YOU! project was imaginatively handled, on the 'Fully Alive' exhibition in Bath site at Bath Abbey, by the CSM film Abbey (see report on P.6). By way crew – with an apposite voice-over of further enhancing the occasion, trustee Professor Ann Sumner was presentation by Tim Marlow, Artistic delighted to have the opportunity Director at the Royal Academy of to talk to nearly 400 pupils, Arts. This will serve us well, in various in the School Theatre, on the The Cathedral Education Officer was ways, for years to come. As mentioned background to the Collection and, to be congratulated on the provision of specifically, on the four works in the spring 2016 Newsletter, Tim chosen. This was something of a excellent school education packs – for is an art historian and commentator 'first', being both the largest and primary, secondary age and special youngest audience to have had on the contemporary cultural scene needs pupils. (These remain available to with wide-ranging experience in the benefit of such a discourse. prospective borrowers of the Collection.) broadcasting; he has presented over one hundred documentaries on British television. He started his broadcasting 6. Raising the profile of the Collection career on radio, presenting Radio 4’s through marketing, press and social arts programme Kaleidoscope from media campaigns 1991 to 1998, winning a Sony Award Concern was expressed at the lack for his work. His television work of knowledge about the Collection includes a fine documentary on JMW Turner for BBC One, several of his among the wider art community. The The Lincoln Focus Group in discussion. Photo: Prof. Ann Sumner own arts programmes for Five, and the existence of a supportive Friends Group notorious Is Painting Dead? debate for requires a higher profile. Exhibition Channel Four. We were, indeed, most Trustees Ann Sumner and Sarah Centre for British Art, for example, stewards should be encouraged by their fortunate in securing his services. Middleton have held the first of a series brought academics, curators and scholars Link Trustee to promote the Friends of regional Focus Groups – to assist the from all over the UK to see the Collection at every opportunity. An effective and Collection’s Managing Trustees with and to discuss it in their debates. strategically positioned point of sale, at exhibition planning and strategic vision. all exhibition venues, is vital. Managing Trustees of the Collection This took place at Lincoln Cathedral. 2. Creating a permanent home for The Managing Trustees will seek Dr John Gibbs (Chair/Treasurer), Revd Graham Kent (Secretary), Bob Focus groups are used frequently the Collection with gallery, storage financial stability for the Collection in Williams (Secretary, Friends Group), across arts organisations as an and research facilities order to achieve these aims. Prof Ann Sumner, Meryl Doney, opportunity for exhibition organisers Several options are actively being Sarah Middleton, Paul Bayley and wider audiences to express feedback pursued at present. ‘As Trustees we have found it very Administrator – Mary Roseweir Front cover: Mark Cazalet, The – in a face-to-face context. These are helpful to meet and talk first hand Custodian – Dr Peter Forsaith Fool of God; Christ in the garden already serving to consolidate and 3. Securing the services of with those of you who have spent www.methodist.org.uk/artcollection From the Methodist Modern build on our extensive consultation, professional staff to manage the so much of your valuable time in Art Collection ‘Shaping a Future Together’. Sincere smooth touring, the care and the ensuring that exhibitions are being Friends of the Methodist Modern Art Collection Our Front Cover for the first thanks are offered to all Friends and documentation of the Collection hosted successfully around the (The Supporters of the Methodist Newsletter of 2017 features a exhibition organisers who completed the country. Your feedback is essential Modern Art Collection) work, from the Collection, by Patrons: The President of Conference Mark Cazalet. He has, in addition, questionnaire as part of the consultation. 4. Enhancing the Collection through to us as we go forward and plan the and The Very Revd Nick Bury kindly agreed to our use of two Six key aims are now being focused on the acquisition of new works long-term future of the Collection. other works of his, both of which by the Trustees. These are listed below with We would like to thank everyone Bob Williams highlight pivotal moments of Secretary to the Friends of the the Easter story. In all cases he some examples and tips for the Trustees. 5. Strengthening and creating who is supporting the focus groups Collection and Newsletter Editor has opted to use his 'trademark' key partnerships within the for their time and organisational 11, Late Broads, Winsley hand-made paper with its Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts, distinctive cockled surface 1. Reaching wide audiences by Methodist Church and with other skills. More are being planned.’ BA15 2NW Top: Christ takes his cross exhibiting the Collection across churches, arts organisations and Phone: 01225 720188 (Station 2), 2002, Oil on paper the UK and beyond educational establishments [email protected] — Ann and Sarah Below: Stations of the Cross: The conference organised by the Some visitors to Lincoln came as church Christ and Judas die (Station Produced by Cultureshock Media 14), 2002, Oil on paper University of Lincoln and the Paul Mellon groups, U3A Groups and school groups. Art Director: Alfonso Iacurci Designer: Helen McFarland Both produced by kind www.cultureshockmedia.co.uk permission of the artist Newsletter 17 — Spring 2017 3 A curator in focus Curator’s Choice

REVD STEPHEN GIRLING, CURATOR OF THE 2016 ‘FULLY ALIVE’ EXHIBITION IN BATH ABBEY

engage with art in a way that is fruitful and life giving, led Reilly’s Raising of Lazarus is set in what appears to be an English Reilly also uses this device in the way he depicts Mary me to consider very carefully the whole process of curation, churchyard, a place traditionally associated with precious quiet and Martha, in both in a posture of grief, kneeling at the something I’d never tackled before. The space of the Abbey and spacious solitude, a place to roam among unseen incumbents graveside and in a posture of incredulous joy, standing arms engenders a sense of awe and beauty, of something far greater of graves topped off with a merry symbolic mix of hope and aloft behind their rising brother. These figures are towered over than that which occupies us most of the time. Indeed the desolation, of treasured memory and personal history. Reilly by the Christ figure, strangely human and divine in his skinny principal reason our visitors come inside is to get away from transforms his churchyard by the signature power of Christ raising trousers, standing proud of a translucent white aura. the hustle and bustle of the city. Lazarus, a close friend of his whose death moved him to tears. The In the ‘Fully Alive’ exhibition at Bath Abbey I selected My first venture into curating an exhibition, here in the painting is a vibrant expression of the all-pervasive sustaining and this painting to illustrate the nature of Christ as the life-giver, Abbey, was very much a local affair. Early in 2016 we put out a call redeeming power of this Christ, the one by whom and through in the creation and redemption of all things. The Abbey to artists and others across the city, for