New Gallery

Ok, so I know I had a bit of a moan about galleries here, but they're not all bad.

I'll explain! 

Milton Keynes has a most unusual new gallery space. It's unusual for a couple of reasons: 

• Where it is

• It's shape 

So - where is it?  Its at Christ the Cornerstone - the ecumenical church in the centre of Milton Keynes. 

Now I am not a religious person, and frankly so much horror goes on in the world under the guise of 'religion'.  But I do appreciate some amazing church buildings. And this is one - a very conspicuous dome in the middle of the rather 'boxy' new city that is Milton Keynes. 

And the new gallery runs around the 'skin' of the dome of the church. Hence its also rather unusual shape. The walls are gently curving and it is not very wide - literally like a gallery in the architectural sense. It is where those window are - just under the dome itself. 

Now one of the priests involved in the church, Ernesto Lozada-Uzuriaga, is also an artist. You can read about him on his website here. A fascinating man. 

And it was Ernesto who had the vision of turning the space in the dome into a gallery.  And he got in touch with my friend Jane (of Smallbeans and also Mix3d Stitch) and, well, it all sort of happened from there.

And the other day was the opening, with a presentation of art based on the theme of Advent.  But as you can see below, the theme was loosely interpreted.

This painting is by Susan Lee Burton.  A view from Austria - snow and lights from the local church. 

By Robin Souter - Winter Sun and Frost and Tunnel of Light. The winter sunlight filtering down through trees. I really liked these. They remind me of one of my favourite walks that I used to do from my old house in Deanshanger, Northamptonshire, with my lovely dog. 

By Tracey Mason - a joyful teenager, the celebration of life. 

Jane's own contribution. Woven strips of dyed paper inspired by a window at Coventry Cathedral. 

I met the lovely Hina, who painted the piece above. She was there with her husband. 

She gave me this lovely artists statement:-

"Hina Imran is a self-taught fine art maker from the heart of United Kingdom. She was motivated to start her art career because of her beautiful daughter Zara, who is an exploratory soul and very unique. Hina infuses that love and attachment she has for Zara in all her paintings, which result in visually rich art creations that are of huge sentimental value.

The impressions in all her art pieces are stunning and filled with the raw energy coming from abstraction, clashing of colours, translucent drips and textured mediums. Among her styles you can find original abstract art paintings, decorative art, contemporary abstract art, geometric art and floral art." 

I met both Zara, in the buggy and pretty sleepy, and her very supportive husband. Such lovely people. 

The two textile pieces above are by my friend and partner at Mix3d Stitch, Yvonne. 

By Ka-yee Chan - Though Him, with Him and In Him. The only piece with a direct religious theme. 

And I apologise to the artist of this final piece. Despite what I thought was my careful cataloging of the photographs I don't have a record of who you are. Apologies. If you stumble across this blog (or indeed if anyone knows who painted these trees) then do let me know.

Now, in none of these pictures do you get the impression of the curved walls - you have to trust me on this.  And I should have taken one looking down the gallery space, though that would have been tricky as it curves!!

Very excitingly, we are planning an exhibition there for 2016. Mix3d Stitch and Friends:Change.
But that is all I know at this stage. As the detail emerges I am sure I will be able to share it with you.

If you are in MK you can pop in. The gallery is open when the church is open. Just ask to be directed.