Methodist Church hosts art show
DESPITE the best efforts of people like the Rev. Richard Bellinger, my visits to places of worship are infrequent – to say the least – and usually all but obligatory, as is invariably the case with funerals.
DESPITE the best efforts of people like the Rev. Richard Bellinger, my visits to places of worship are infrequent – to say the least – and usually all but obligatory, as is invariably the case with funerals.
That said, I always manage to take visiting family and friends to look at St Peter's Anglican church and the island's Methodist Church, both of which are very much part of Sark's history, as well as serving their principal function.
However, this week I was persuaded by Bob Parsons, who edits and publishes the monthly Sark Scribe, that an art exhibition entitled Faith Lift, currently being staged in the Methodist Church itself, was in his words 'very well worth a visit'.
Sark is extremely well served by the high standard of artistic talent among many of its residents – indeed, far too many to list here – and this totally unqualified observer (art to me is a bit like wine, in that I know what I like and do not much care whether or not that view is at variance with that of the 'experts') is now suggesting that there is a welcome and highly talented addition to their ranks.
Jill Ludick came to the island with her husband Danie less than a year ago when she took up a post as a teacher at Sark School. Since then, to quote Jill, they have settled here 'like ducks to water' and are both thoroughly enjoying life in Sark.
It is her exhibition at the Methodist Church and it is clear from the themes associated with each particular piece of work that her religious faith is a significant part of her life. As I walked around the church with her, looking at all the work on display, I liked what I saw and liked also the texts that accompanied each piece of work.
As Jill explained during our chat, the texts are intended to explain the inspiration behind the work. Perhaps the most striking image in the exhibition is a painting entitled Father Forgive, which depicts the face of Jesus with his crown of thorns.
Jill said in her accompanying text: 'Jesus, through his suffering and death on the cross, had taken all my sin upon himself so that I could be restored into a full and living relationship with God the Father. It had been easy keeping such truth as distant and vague information but painting it brought this reality back into full focus.'
I cannot really add much more, other than to echo Bob's words that Jill's exhibition is well worth a visit. It runs until 4 September.
The sheep race weekend starts this evening with party time and live music at the Millennium Field, while racing (and a bit of gambling) starts in earnest tomorrow and continues on Sunday.
I am told that Sark Shipping appears to have chartered the Victor Hugo from Manche Iles – its sister ship the Marin Marie will be bringing visitors from Jersey – to help out its two passenger vessels, the Bon Marin and Sark Venture, and it looks as if Sark could be welcoming upwards of 1,000 guests to its shores over the weekend.
For Guernsey residents who have not booked their passage, it might be advisable to contact the shipping company before setting off.
As to the weather, which has an effect on enjoyment as well as fund-raising, the forecast is as I write indicating reasonably pleasant and dry conditions.
