METHODISM'S MODERN CHRISTIAN ART COLLECTION
The
previous issue of the magazine introduced the possibility that part of
this national collection will be exhibited at our church in 2012, during
the Centenary Celebrations and as part of the Guild Year activities.
The following has been adapted from a letter by Rev. Geoff Cornell to the Methodist Recorder:
"Why does the Methodist Church have this collection? We have John Gibbs and Douglas Wollen to thank: in the 1960s and 70s they bought some remarkable works. The collection has now grown to more that 40 items and is still gaining new acquisitions (with its limited resources, which do not come out of Connexional funds).
Why shouldn’t we sell it off and use the money elsewhere? Part of the answer echoes the case made for the arts when the Government wants to cut back: nourishing the mind and spirit is important. However, the main reason is missional.
The creative arts are effective in enabling people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the Christian story – touching emotions, allowing space, enabling conversation that the spirit works through. Exhibiting the Art Collection produces many, many such moments. Can anything good come out of the modern art collection? The only reply is, "Come and see." You might even become a Friend of the collection!"