JourneyOnline
WORSHIPPERS AT Albert Street Uniting Church in Brisbane city have been treated to an even more beautiful church than usual with the addition of one member’s Lent inspired paintings.
Around three years ago artist Cees Sliedrecht was asked by the then minister at Albert St, Rev Dr David Pitman, to paint some works for the church in the lead up to Easter. The final product was six paintings depicting the Stations of the Cross that are displayed in the church.
From concept to finished artwork the Stations of the Cross paintings took four to five months.
“The preparation takes most of the time. It is really trying to visualise what I am going to do,” said Mr Sliedrecht.
“It is quite difficult because you have to think of composition, balance, the clothing of the people, what they look like, does one person look at another person or do they turn away or look at Christ?”
Another four paintings are displayed on Good Friday. These large black, white and purple paintings are stark in contrast to the ‘Stations’ images and have quite a modern look about them.
The first is of the face of Christ and is placed at the Communion Table. The second is of the blessing hands of Christ and is placed on the left side of the church. The pierced hands of Christ are placed to the right and the pierced feet are placed in the rear of the church making the congregation the body of Christ.
“I really wanted Christ to stand in this day’s society. He is not a Christ of yesterday, he is a Christ of now.
“I didn’t want them to look very gruesome. I don’t think that is the point. I think the point is suffering, indeed, but it is not a Christ to which you say, ‘yuck, I don’t want to look at that’. It could be an inviting Christ.”
The result is an image that truly captures the power and humbleness of Christ on the cross.
As an artist Mr Sliedrecht said he had great respect for historical religious art. He also appreciated having a subject so inspiring.
“I felt very blessed that I could do this,” he said.
Photo : Cees Sliedrecht looks over the face of Christ at the front of Albert Street Uniting Chruch, Brisbane. Photo by Mardi Lumsden
