Everyone knows that
there are artists in the Dominican Order; some are not known and
others are well recognised by their brothers and sisters. However,
until now the Master of the Order had never acknowledged publicly
or concretely his interest in the members of the Order who had
dedicated their lives to art. This has now been done; steps have
been taken to recognise the role that art plays, at least the
visual, in Dominican life. We could envisage similar steps for
writers and poets, dancers, actors and mimics for the cinema and
music and for historians of art and those who are at the service
of artists. What then happened in Rome in November 2000 that was
new?
Master of the Order,
Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, Zlata Vrabec and Fr. Antoine Lion OP
For the first time ever
fifteen artists of the Dominican family from the five continents
were invited to Rome in order to put together an exhibition. There
were painters: Sister Mary Horn, New Zealand, with her large abstract
paintings; Fr. Enrico Saliani, Bari, Italy, the painter of
serenity; Fr. Anastasio Petric, Bol, Croatia, with his baroque
inspiration; Fr. Kim En Joong, from Paris, who presented lithography
and a chasuble; Fr. Gaston Petit, Tokyo, whose engravings were
a modest sample of his immense work. Fr. Gareth Moore, Rixensart,
Belgium, presented three black and white photographs, whereas
Sr. Adele Rowland, San Rafael, California, had three images in
counterpoint, a skilful superimposing of colour photographs. Sr.
Brigitte Loire, Mexico, brought enamels, a painting in gold leaf
and a project for stainless glass. Zlata Vrabec, a lay Dominican
from Cambridge, England, presented a classical icon and some new
icons made of different soils and sands. Fr. Julián Pablo, Mexico,
gave homage to the dead Christ with large faces on canvas hangings.
There were also three sculptors: Fr. Miguel Iribertegui, Virgen
del Camino, Spain, with three bronze pieces on the mystery of
the Nativity; Fr. Manfredi Quartana, Paris, with his steel weldings
depicting the themes of children's games, war, crying or hope;
Fr. Alfonso Salas, Caleruega, Spain, presented his different works
with the rare caption please touch. The architect, Fr.
Francisco Coello, from Madrid, presented photographs of two churches
and a college that he had built. Finally, Fr. Paul Ketch, Lagos,
Nigeria, presented four chasubles that were rich in Afriocan symbols
and lively colours.
You may well have a
desire to see these works. Please be patient; they will soon be
on the Order's Web Site. Fr. Armando Ibáñez is also preparing,
in California, a 30 minute video that will be available; and finally
a catalogue is under construction.
All the above works
were presented in the very centre of Rome in the former refectory
of Santa Maria-Sopra-Minerva, according to a carefully conceived
pattern by the artists themselves. In fact this required many
hours and was a difficult and exciting moment. Of course each
artist wished to present his/her work in the best condition and
a coherence was needed with the neighbouring presentations. At
the same time there was the concern for overall coherence. Unforseen
matching emerged; Mary Horn and Paul Ketch established a bridge
between Africa and Oceania: they interpolated the abstract paintings
with the striking colours and designs of the chasubles. Montages
were made and unmade until the correct configuration was reached
to the satisfaction of all. One could also relate incidents where
one hesitated between indignation and laughter, such as when one
of the famous cats of the Minerva dropped its load of business
on one of the engravings that had been momentarily placed on the
floor!
The inauguration took
place on 17th November 2000 and it was a day of joy. Fr. Timothy
Radcliffe expressed a lively interest in the meeting, indeeed
he had followed its preparation for over a year. He took considerable
time in having each work explained to him. In view of his enthusiasm,
a number of the artists decided to donate some of their works
to Santa Sabina, which has suddenly been enriched by its new collection
of contemporary art, which will soon be on its walls.
Before the meeting the
artists worked for several days under the guidance of Fr. Antoine
Lion, promoter General for the media and cultural communication.
He was assisted by one of the painters, Fr. Anastasio Petric.
The artists had the opportunity to listen to each other and to
discuss the respective creations of each other. There is further
diversity among the artists. Some organise exhibitions of their
work both at home and abroad, others teach and others only work
for themselves or at the request of a Christian community. There
were extreme cases such as Fr. Paul in Nigeria whose talents led
him to organise a sewing workshop, thereby providing some ten
new job opportunities; Sr. Brigitte Loire from Tlalpar, an impoverished
part of Mexico, teaches in an art school; however, since some
children cannot pay the fees, she also sits on the sidewalk with
paint brushes and sheets of paper surrounded by young children.
There is both diversity and unity and the Dominican spirit dwells
in each of them. Though the architect responds to specific requests
and the painter does not know when he begins what he will end
up creating; each follows his/her inspiration and is aware of
the link between the practise of art and the vocation of preaching.
What will follow from
this meeting? Links have been established. Sr. Brigitte's stained
glass project may not be realised in Mexico because of the lack
of funds, but may materialise in Fr. Francisco's Madrid church.
The Minerva Group is also concerned that many other friars and
sisters would also have wished to be invited so as to make their
work known. A number of proposals were made and we shall revert
to these in IDI when they materialise.
For further information
please contact me: Antoine Lion, Santa Sabina,
antoine_lion@hotmail.com
