Many of our clergy have been going into schools this week to talk about Easter. Gary Crellin, Vicar of Powick, Guarlford & Madresfield with Newland has used an original piece of artwork to explore the story in a completely different way!
Gary said:
Holy Week and Easter take place in the school Easter Holidays this year so it was important to engage with the schools in an innovative manner before they broke up for holidays. A piece of original Art , entitled “ Health n Safety” from the entertainer and impressionist artist, Timmy Mallett , was used to explore Holy Week through the lens of today at Powick, Callow End and Madresfield CoE Primary Schools .
I worked with years 5 & 6 in each school to explore the imagery and story of Holy Week, as expressed in this original piece of art. I've got to know Timmy and Lynda Mallett through the art and various commissions and purchases I have made. And yes, I think my daughters grow up with Mallett’s Mallett and Wacaday on breakfast telly! When I heard about Timmy’s composition of a contemporary Good Friday scene, I couldn’t resist asking him to borrow it for use in our schools and Holy Week devotions. I was chuffed when he agreed.
Each school had the picture to use to support the RE and English curriculum - I asked for a piece of creative writing, based on the picture, to be undertaken - allowing the children to explore its imagery through the lens of a TV reporter, a member of the crowd communicating via social media or a diary piece. The results were telling of the age and humbling to hear.
The artwork will additionally be on display on Good Friday in the Lady Chapel at St Peter’s Church, Powick.