Our Artist-in-Residence, Jez Thomas : Catching the detail

For the past nine months  Jez Thomas and Fr Tom have been working on a project that tells the story of the Gospels through art and poetry

Nine of the paintings are now finished and are on display at St Mary’s and Jez has made a start on the next two.

He says:

I may have been fortunate enough to talk to you about it during the Lenten services.

Here is a little update and a few things that you may like to look for when studying the paintings.

You will notice that the themes of fire and water are significant throughout; sometimes the images will show fire ‘becoming’ water and vice-versa, challenging our perceptions of physical reality and echoing stories found throughout the Bible.

Also, look for the thirty pieces of silver that are in each image; the ‘blood money’ that was paid to Judas, which was so necessary to fulfil the earthly role of The Christ. The significance of an all-powerful God, that became the ‘loser God’, the ‘tortured God’, the ‘sacrificial God’ and of course, the ‘Human God’ for the mere price of a bag of silver is beyond comprehension.

… a demonstration of love in the truest and most perfect sense.

Lots of people have commented upon the ‘Nativity’ painting, but have you  looked closely enough to see the angels in the clouds? Have you found Golgotha inthe image of the Baptism of Jesus? And seen the bubbles that capture His breath? The dove in the clouds? Or the ichthys symbols within the waves that become living fish in the ‘miraculous catch?’

Note also how the sail on ‘The Calming of the Storm’ image bellows away from Jesus, as does rain, for “Even the winds and the waves obey him!” The images are full of symbolism, metaphor and hidden details.

I do hope that you are enjoying the project so far. If you have any comments, suggestions or queries, then please do feel free to contact me… it is always good to get feedback!

If you want to get in touch email: jezthomasart@gmail.com