The Window at St. Monica's.

The Window at St. Monica's  Tom Cullen Acrylic on canvas 21x15cm 2020

Stain Glass...Memories...Vivid Colours.. Heavenly feelings.. A sense of timelessness.. These were my earliest recollections of the stain glass windows of my local Dominican church in Dublin. I was about two or three years old. Some years later, as a boy I would visit the nearby Hugh Lane Gallery and be absorbed by the work of Harry Clarke and Evie Hone whose work was shown in a darkened room dedicated to artists who worked in the medium of stain glass.

Close up Nativity Window, St Monica's

St. Monica's Church is located in Palmers Green, North London. It was built in 1914 and the stain glass windows were installed in the late 1920's following an anonymous donation. They are the work of Franz Mayer of Munich and London. There are five windows in the nave and an additional in the Sacred Heart Chapel to the left. These depict the life of Jesus from birth to resurrection.

The window nearest to to the front of the church depicts the traditional nativity scene. We see the Holy Family - Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus surrounded by the Magi and two shepherds. The Magi commonly known as the "Three Wise Men" were noble pilgrims from the East to whom it is said  followed the light of a guiding star, leading them to the place where Jesus was born. In the western churches they are given the names of Melchior, Caspar and Balthazer.

Full view Nativity Window

In recent times, I have sat and spent some time with this particular window.  As an abstract artist, I am pulled in by the vivid colours which have sustained for a hundred years or so. Ultramarine blues, vermillion and deep reds, peppermint greens which contrast with burnt sienna's, lilacs, yellows and oranges painted in a way we can almost touch real gold. Around this nativity scene, I see shepherds, one holding a stick, the other grasping a sheep swung around his neck. An ox and a donkey show their faces, olive trees enhance the background left. To the right, the star of Bethlehem shines brightly with a beam that touches the Magi's halo. We experience this birth with a sense of harmony between humankind and all earthly things.

Detail from The Window At St. Monica's

This year has been far from harmonious for most of us. The contagious and deadly coronavirus has resulted in 61.4 million cases and 1.4 m deaths worldwide to date. We have lived a life of face masks, lockdowns and separation. Families have lost love ones, people have lost jobs. There seemed little hope until last month when three new vaccines were announced.

Above: Detail 

So, when I look through this window at St. Monica's and I see some light shining through, I sense some hope for the future. I started this small acrylic painting in August. Inspired by the mark the window left inside of me, it remained unfinished up to last month. It has several layers underneath. I had given up totally until I decided to mask off  two horizontals and paint the red glaze. As I lifted the masking tape the underlying colours shone through. It had worked and my memory of the window at St. Monica's was complete.

It is worth remembering the Magi quietly avoided Herod on their return when they knew he could not be trusted. The light of the star had got them to their destination and on their return they followed the internal "light" of their spirit.

So, I hope this painting inspired by the window at St. Monica's brings light and hope for better things to come this Christmas.

A Bright Yellow Light

The Yellow Paintings Series No1 Acrylic on Canvas 46x35cm

Somewhere, between last Christmas and the New Year, I came across a programme on BBC Radio 4 called "A Bright Yellow Light". I assumed at this time of year, it was a usual Christmas religious broadcast. But, no, this was something very different. It was an extraordinary interview with Nadim Ednan Laperouse, father of the girl Natasha who had tragically died from an allergic reaction, after eating a sandwich containing sesame seeds at an airport cafe in 2018.

The Yellow Paintings Series No2 

I was familiar with the incident. It had gained widespread media coverage and has culminated in "Natasha's Law" being prepared for legislation next year- which insists that all active ingredients are listed on all pre-packaged food.
However, this was the first time that Natasha's father spoke about a very unusual religious experience which occurred as she passed away. He describes, "A strong soft yellow light appeared, like candle light- really intense but not that your eyes would squint. In great detail these five figures like thin people with features like you or I appeared with wings on their backs. I never saw anything like that in my life, I never expected to. I whooshed them all away. It dawned on me she might die. I shouted "It's not her time!" As I did that, they were gone and Natasha died. There was nothing more that could be done."

The Yellow Paintings Series No3

Nadim Ednan Laperouse goes on to say "Afterwards I know I was meant to see them. I was not a believer at all - someone too full of himself, too arrogant a man really, coming from a business world where people say "I will make myself what I want to be in my own strength". The whole situation showed I was very weak and unable to do anything for my own family. In my lowest moment, that is where God sent the angels for me to see, to tell me that is okay."

He accounts seeing the yellow light a second time - the day Prime Minister, Theresa May mentioned in public his daughters name, Natasha. " I was crying and giving thanks to God. Suddenly the whole room lit up as if someone put the light on, but not normal light. It was this soft yellow light again. It was God saying "I hear you my child". It made me feel , I have a father, someone stronger than me, with no ego like me".

The Yellow Paintings Series No4

It is hard for anyone, even of faith to believe in apparitions like this. But there was something deeply
moving and spiritual in this story which would not leave me after I listened to the interview. From this place, I began the "Yellow Paintings Series" last month. The colour yellow in art often signifies joy, hope and possibility. It symbolises freshness, happiness, positivity and enlightenment. I am reminded of the intense yellows Van Gogh used in his paintings, the transparency of Rothko's colour field paintings and the warmthness of the Eliasson Weather Project - the large sun installation of the Tate Modern in 2003.

The Yellow Paintings Series No5

As I progressed with the series, I became aware the worldwide coronavirus epidemic was no longer "out there" but now on my doorstep here in the UK. Fortunately, during lock down, I had enough paint and canvas in storage to complete these five small pieces. I write this in self isolation now with mild symptoms. There has never been a time where we need hope for the future and to feel there is a "Bright Yellow Light", shining for each one of us. I hope, therefore, the paintings emanate some positive energy for all of us.

In memory of Natasha Ednan Laperouse 2003- 2018

                    

The interview of Nadim Ednan Laperouse by Emily Buchanan is available at:

 www.bbc.co.uk>programmes 
 A Bright Yellow Light - BBC radio 4

                                                   

"Something Is Changing"

"Something is Changing 4"
61x46cm. Acrylic on canvas 2019

"Something is Changing 2"
35x29cm. Acrylic on canvas 2018

 In 2018, I started a small series of paintings on the theme of Climate Change entitled "Something Is Changing". I am pleased that three of these pieces have been selected for this years Harvest Exhibition entitled "GATHER" at the W3 Gallery, Acton Town, London.

"Something is Changing 6"
25x20cm. Acrylic on canvas 2019

Since these works were first completed before the pandemic, we have seen even 

more extremities in the Global weather structures. Flash floods in New York City, wildfires across West America and Europe, not to mention the melting ice caps on both the North and South Poles have caused catastrophic destruction and loss of human life.

"Something is Changing 1"
21x45cm. Acrylic on canvas 2018

In these abstract works, I use bands of colour to suggest temperature, atmosphere and the changing shape of the landscape. I am influenced by the Colour Field artists such as Mark Rothko, Sean Scully and the St Ives Artists - Patrick Heron and Ben Nicholson. "Something is Changing 4" reflects on Global Warming and was conceived after the highest temperature was recorded on July 25th, 2019 in the UK.  The fifth painting in the series embraces the tragedy of the melting ice caps in the Artic and Antartic. "Something is Changing 6" invites us to look at our relationship with the earth and landscape.

"Something is Changing 5"
35x29cm. Acrylic on canvas 2019

We are all aware and have experienced in one way or another the effect of Global Warming and Climate Change in the past few years. I hope the paintings are a reminder and inspire us in our own individual ways of our responsibilities around it. 

Something Is Changing.

"GATHER" EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM SEPT 16TH TO OCT 23RD.

W3 GALLERY, 185 ACTON HIGH ST,LONDON W3 9DJ.

San Jose 33

San Jose 33 Oil on Canvas 122x76cm Tom Cullen 2010

                                           I painted "San Jose 33" towards the end of 2010,after making a small acrylic sketch in which I experimented with contrasting colour tones and tonal values. This colour combination seemed to work and I changed the profile from horizontal to vertical from the original sketch to improve the composition. The intention was to be very simple,direct and explore some freedom during the painting sessions.
                                                Whilst I was completing this painting, news updates were coming through with regard to the miners trapped in Copiapo,Chile.On the 5th August the mine had collapsed leaving thirty three workers 600 metres underground.Once it was known that they were still alive, the rescuers implemented a comprehensive plan to 

Study for San Jose 33 Acrylic on paper

both nurture and release them. The whole world was now focused on this mission, whilst the miners beneath endured severe food rationing and isolation. However, the moment of global joy came some sixty nine long days later, when one by one, the miners were brought to the surface over a period of almost twenty four hours. For once,the media had something positive to focus on and the world celebrated this success of this mission.
                                                It seemed appropriate therefore to call this painting"San Jose 33". After all it appears from the beginning, it may have been an inner exploration of personal entrapment and the desire for freedom. Given the pain and sacrifice these miners endured during this intensive time of confinement, it is more than important to pay homage to them and also to those who secured them safely.

"Song for San Jose Miners" by Jack Warsaw

Above: Opening Night at the W3 Gallery, "Global Dimensions" Exhibition June 4th.

Revelation

"Revelation" Oil on Canvas  Tom Cullen 2007

I painted "Revelation" at the same time and as part of the same painting sessions as"Through the Edge of Darkness" at the Hampstead School of Art, London in 2007. Both paintings emerged as part of the same process whereby I used a camcorder and took some close up stills of some other works I had done previously. Once I was happy with the images I selected, I worked them up on a much greater scale. And so the two paintings came about.

"Revelation" is a reference to The Book of Exodus. In this we are told of how Yaweh (God) appears to Moses at Mount Horeb in the form of a burning bush. This powerful image represents many things to Jews, Christians and Muslims: God's miraculous energy,sacred light, illumination and the loving heart of purity, love and clarity. From a human standpoint it also represents Moses reverence and fear before the divine presence. It was from this point that he became appointed to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and in to the promised land Canann.

Throughout history to the present day tribes and collective groups have had to flee their place of birth in order to escape conflict or natural disaster. More than 35,000 migrants are thought to have crossed from Africa to Europe this year alone and some 1,750 are thought to have died while attempting their journey. More than 750 migrants are thought to have died off the coast of Libya in a boat disaster on the 18th April this year, At least 200 of these were Senegalese and 350 Etrians according to the United Nations but there were also migrants from Syria, Somalia, Sierre Leone, Mali, Gambia, Ivory Coast and Ethiopa.

I am proud to be showing "Revelation" along with some other paintings at the W3 Gallery, Acton Town as part of  "Celebrating Sanctuary and Refugee Week" from June 4th.

For the Israelites, it took many generations to arrive at the promised land, but key I suppose is that they never lost faith and had a set of values from which to live. I expect this is what helped them to get to where they wanted, by being open to possibility and putting their trust in something greater than themselves.

"Revelation" is on show at the"Global Dimensions"- a Celebrating Sanctuary Exhibition at  W3 Gallery, 185 High St, Acton, London W3 9DJ.

   June 4th- 18th.

 OPENING RECEPTION JUNE 4TH

Affordable Art - W3 Gallery, Acton Town, London.

Untitled 1 Oil on paper Tom Cullen 2007

The W3 gallery is a West London based contemporary art space which curates and produces projects by artists and arts organisations working across visual arts, sound, moving image and performance.W3 gallery's core aim is to foster creative opportunities and experiences that challenge and stimulate, providing a platform for debate and engagement that explores social, political and cultural issues.The selection criteria emphasises innovation, enquiry and awareness of current debates and issues in visual arts practice.

Untitled 2  Acrylic on paper

I exhibited at "Celebrating Sanctuary" and "Carnival" shows this year at the W3, I am delighted to have had four pieces selected for the December "Affordable Art" Exhibition. It features the work of over 50 local artists with the criteria of "small size, small price".The original art ranges from prints, paintings, jewelry, craft, t-shirts and cards.

Two pieces are untitled, (1)  which I painted in 2007 at the Hampstead School of Art and (2) which came out of a painting session in my studio more recently.

Study for San Jose 33 Acrylic on paper

"Study for San Jose 33" is the original sketch from which the finished painting evolved - dedicated to the survivors of the Chilean mine disaster in 2010. "Going Home Part 2" is the second painting in the series exploring the symptoms of dementia and old age.

Going Home Part 2 Acrylic on paper

"Affordable Art" is at the W3 Gallery, 185 High St, Acton Town,London W3 9DJ.

NOW EXTENDED TO MON JAN 25TH

All works are for sale less than £100.

"UNTITLED 1"  NOW SOLD

The gallery is open between 11am- 7pm on Tuesdays-Saturdays and from 12pm-6pm on Sundays.

Opening Night at the Affordable Art Show Dec 4th.

Located in the heart of Acton the W3 Gallery celebrates the artistic diversity of our community. Managed by the Acton Arts Forum and supported by Acton Community Forum, the opening of the gallery in September 2012 brought to light an arena of talented artists coupled with support from the gallery volunteers.

Carnival

 "Carnival" Oil on Canvas 77x122cm Tom Cullen 2010

"Carnival" is part of a pair of paintings in which I further explored my boundaries in abstract representation. The Sean Scully "Walls of Light" works which I saw in the Dublin City, Hugh Lane Gallery in 2010 left a lasting mark in my creative unconscious. I was in awe at the scale of his works and the way he could convey

many different themes and subjects by simply reducing his paintings to blocks and stripes of colour. In the first of my two works "Mona Lisa", I chose to re-interpret the Da Vinci painting in a contemporary way, abstracting the colour and transferring to my own building blocks. The second piece, later to be called "Carnival" explored the boundaries of contrasting and subdued colours. I also focused more strongly on how the colours meet and merge with each other.

"Carnival" detail

I used chalk to divide the canvas into sections and when I was satisfied with the scale, I painted over an ultramarine base. The red and blacks are overlayed several times, so as we can see the contrasting colour shining through underneath. Although there is plenty of colour variation from one row to the next, I also chose to use toned down colour in the rest of the painting. In addition to warm and cool greys that appear, the yellow block in the lower centre has a glaze of black to intentionally reduce the vibrancy of the painting.

"Mona Lisa"

Understanding how each segment of colour touches the next was really important to me when working on this piece. The painter Mark Rothko, was the master of this colour field technique and an artist that I often turn to for inspiration and ideas. A sense of spirit is always important to me both when I am painting or engaging with another artist's work. Breaking the rules of linear convention, such as in the bottom two rows when the blocks break at the same point was also significant in my ambition to push my own artistic boundaries. 

According to Wikipedia, "Traditionally, Carnival is a festive season which occurs before Lent and involves a public celebration or parade combining some elements of circus, mask and street party". Colour is integral to the vibrancy and ambiance of "Carnival". It seemed an appropriate title to this piece, having been through such a journey of colour, contrast and spirit. I hope the viewer, therefore may sense some of the energy and jollity associated with Carnival when engaging particularly in the light and colour of this painting.

"Carnival" is on show at the W3 gallery, 185 High St, London W3 9DJ  "Art of Carnival" Exhibition, now extended to July 25th.

Santana performing "Carnaval" at "The Oakland Coliseum, Oakland CA.

Above: Opening Night of "The Art of Carnival" at W3 gallery, London.