We are currently hosting the temporary installation of a triptych of icons in the side chapel, painted by Regan O’Callaghan.
The triptych was on dispaly at St James's until Spring 2016. It depicts three smiling women from the congregation of St John on Bethnal Green Church, seated around a table. The women reflect the diverse nature of the congregation at St John’s as well as the local East End community.
Each woman is a wife, mother, and grandmother, a person of faith and a committed hard working member of their church. They also symbolise, in part, the important role of women - particularly older women - in the Church of England.
The opened hand of Mother Pearl is held out to greet the viewer to the table, a place of fellowship and hospitality while Mother Becky and Mother Miriam look on. What offering do you, the viewer, bring to the table? The stars on the table cloth symbolise the many descendants of Abraham. The colours the three women wear represent the Christian liturgical seasons and the gold leaf a belief in the ‘sainthood of all believers.’
Regan O’Callaghan is an artist who lives in London. Originally from New Zealand he moved to the UK in 1993 where he later studied art and religious studies including the technique of icon writing (painting). In 2001, Regan was ordained into the Church of England. He combines his religious ministry with leading art projects and workshops as well as painting a number of important commissions including an icon for St Paul’s Cathedral. He believes in a ministry of encouragement where art is the facilitator.
Each woman is a wife, mother, and grandmother, a person of faith and a committed hard working member of their church. They also symbolise, in part, the important role of women - particularly older women - in the Church of England.
The opened hand of Mother Pearl is held out to greet the viewer to the table, a place of fellowship and hospitality while Mother Becky and Mother Miriam look on. What offering do you, the viewer, bring to the table? The stars on the table cloth symbolise the many descendants of Abraham. The colours the three women wear represent the Christian liturgical seasons and the gold leaf a belief in the ‘sainthood of all believers.’
Regan O’Callaghan is an artist who lives in London. Originally from New Zealand he moved to the UK in 1993 where he later studied art and religious studies including the technique of icon writing (painting). In 2001, Regan was ordained into the Church of England. He combines his religious ministry with leading art projects and workshops as well as painting a number of important commissions including an icon for St Paul’s Cathedral. He believes in a ministry of encouragement where art is the facilitator.
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