My Christian faith is integral to my activities as an artist. In this section is some of the thinking which informs the examples of work shown  here.

"Faith"  (projection)  size depending on the size of the wall.  ©jenny meehan 2007

In this image, designed as a projection, the natural desire to enter more deeply into a picture is blocked.   There are two ways of viewing the image.  The first, and most common way of viewing, is to see the image as  a mysterious type of tomb-like doorway, which is closed.  A singular narrow gap runs along the bottom of the image, and in front of that, a transparent prism also stands.

But there is another way, more true to the reality of the images creation.  If you see the nearest diagonal edge of the prism on the left side as the bottom edge of a wooden frame-like construction, you might realise that what you are looking at is two identical images superimposed on top of each other, with the one “nearest” you being pushed aside towards the right of the image, revealing its identical “below”. There is also an illusion of the corner of the frame nearest to you being lifted in an upwards direction. 

 
The image was created using a sheet of  scratched and partially rusted steel, mounted in solid wooden frame.  This “working frame” is an element which I plan to change and adapt for other uses over time.

I have no wish to bring this image to some logical conclusion, but  I must say, I find the process of exploring the way we perceive things very interesting. 

"Reflective State" ©jenny meehan 2007

I am still working on the above image in terms of the substrate to be used and location.  It is my intention that it be used in a  church building  as part of the  worship. Here is an extract from an account of my thinking;

“It can be made in various colours and the inspiration behind it is that of looking upwards and seeing growth, which is what we want as a church.  It is also inspired by the way that when you have multiple sources of light you have many images resulting in the form of shadows, which in this picture bring depth and dimension, and combine to create one unified image, very similar to the way that the light of Christ in each of the members of the church shines out in different ways but can still work together to create a complete whole..  The combined effect of all the branches is also to create a central area of focus." 

"Over all, the piece has a sense of both looking upwards to the sky, but also, because of the nature of the tree branches (Corkscrew Willow) it also communicates a sense of rippling water, and of looking downwards into a pool." 

"Cross" ©jenny meehan 2007

A digital manipulation of a painting. The image is based on a wooden cross standing in front of a wall, placed in a "Garden of Ashes" in a graveyard.  The poem below is part of the work.  

“Please Move Away from the Garden of Ashes”

 
I will make for you a garden of ashes
with no border or surround,
to capture heart and spirit wanderings
beneath the body of the ground.

And grief,
who stood forlorn and scattered
half-hearted hope,
in blood red tears
now may stay
kneel
and know me
stretch across
each future year.

 

Jenny Meehan, April 2007

An example of a photograph which forms part of the "Copper Colourations" series. (Font strand) ©jenny meehan 2007

The "Font" series is inspired by looking at the font at Chichester Cathedral, which I took photographs of in 2006.  I then made my own copper bowl the following year, and the image above is one of an ongoing series.  The water does great things to the effects of oxidisation on the copper.  The effects of fire and water combined.  

One of the ways I have started to use my creativity in the service of my local church congregation has been in producing, often in co-operation with other people, opportunities for contemplative prayer and Christian meditation.  This has taken a variety of forms, from installation, like that carried out on Good Friday in 2008, to the recent Powerpoint presentation on February 22nd 2009. 

The area of what is commonly known as "Alternative Worship" is one I find interesting and something I plan to continue with. To  combine both written and spoken word with images in a church setting is something powerful and inspiring. 

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