Artist Jez Thomas’ thirty paintings of the life of Christ will go on display in the new Community Space at Holy Trinity Church Tarlerton from Sunday, November 6th to November 27th. The Church is open daily from 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday.
Commenting on the Exhibition, Rector, Fr Mark said:
I was Vicar of St Mary’s Priory, Abergavenny before coming to Tarleton. While there I appointed Jez as Artist-in-Residence, as part of a programme of getting parishioners to identify the skills God had given them and how they could use them for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. A similar course of addresses will be shared with the Congregations at Rufford & Tarlerto this Advent, starting the day after the Exhibition closes.”
Speaking about his paintings Jez tells us to:
Look carefully and 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.
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 in the 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 the rain… for “Even the winds and the waves obey him!” The images are full of symbolism, metaphor and hidden details so take a really close look.
Jez will speak about his paintings at 3pm on Sunday, November 6th. You can read more about his work here
