Collage of Lent - 2011

Collage of Lent - Trinity School 2011

In the school prospectus the words ‘Achievement through Expression’ are used to describe the essence of art, drama, dance and music in the school. With this in mind I have aimed to create a Lent observance using all the parts of this expression; The ‘Collage of Lent’ has a strong artistic thread inspired by the artist Peter Privett:

www.weshillendowment.org/gethsemane.htm

I hope that the RE, English, DT, Art, Music, Dance and Drama, in fact all departments, can fully engage in the concept to produce spiritually inspired works of art that will be focal points for worship.

Weeks 2, 3, 4, 5 will start with a huge canvas painted in a colour; on this, over the weeks, a collage will be formed out of relevant newspaper cuttings, bible passages, poetry, fabric, beads and ribbons.

The coloured canvas will presented on Monday morning’s assembly where the first examples will be added. Then the canvas will be taken to the Chapel where it will remain in-between assemblies allowing students and staff to add their bit. Each week a service of Prayer and music will take place in the Hall around the theme of the canvas.

A new canvas and colour will evolve each week resulting in four canvas collages, each with a specific message to be used at Easter service.

Each assembly, bible study, tutor period and worship will ground the art concept in Scripture and Lent.

Canvas 1 is painted RED: The Red standing for the pain of the world.

Canvas 2 is painted PURPLE: The purple standing for feeling and emotions of suffering.

Canvas 3 is painted GREEN: The Green standing for hope and renewal.

Canvas 4 is painted WHITE: The White standing for a life no longer dominated by pain, loss and suffering in light of Jesus and the resurrection.

Using RED as an example; an historical episode such as WW1 could be depicted in sticking symbols of war on to the collage, English pupils could stick poems about the pain of the world, Art and Textiles could create by weaving within/into the canvas colours and fabrics of pain or sewing beads and RE could find Bible passages that lament about the suffering of the world.

I am preparing resources to support Assemblies and Tutor groups. I would be delighted to talk about this further with you and really hope the school can interact with this ambitious but excitingly creative Lent observance.

Thank you for all your support.

Rev’d Nicky