Project Summary | The Process of Making an Icon & It's Meaning | Calendar of Events
Iconographer Karen Blampied has embarked on a wonderful new project based on Jersey's Twelve Parish Saints.
In Karen's words...
During 2010 I have set myself an amazing local project. I am writing an icon of each of the 12 Parish Saints of Jersey. The title for this iconographic project comes from Psalm 16.
All my delight is in your Saints.
The faithful who dwell in your land.
The lines have fallen for me in
pleasant places.
I have been given a welcome heritage.
The twelve Parish Saints are so much part of Jersey’s heritage that these Saints’ names have been an integral part of our Island’s past and present, its community boundaries and identity. But who are these Saints and why have their names been used in the naming of Jersey’s twelve Parish Churches and consequently the communities that surround them?
One thing we do know is that Jersey was at the crossroads of Celtic and Roman saints. These saints brought a great wealth of spirituality to the island; their witness is a tribute to the history of Christianity as it spread throughout these islands.
“Pope Hilary (461-468) decreed that churches should be only dedicated to the Saviour, John his Precursor, Mary His Mother, Peter his Apostle and Lawrence his Deacon.”
All of these exist in Jersey but so too does the hermit Saint Helier and martyr Saint Clement, the Celtic monk Saint Brelade, the Archbishop of Rouen Saint Ouen and the Bishop Saint Martin de Tours. As well as these we have the great Godhead concept of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
The name of each parish church gives us an insight into its Patron Saint. They provide a combination of story, legend and historical facts that weave an intriguing community story and identity for the island of Jersey.
As an iconographer this project is a great challenge to me. It requires many skills, which I have been privileged to have learnt over the years. I have studied; the history of iconography, scripture and iconography and conciliar iconography. As well as practical courses; such as drawing the icon, painting, gilding and designing the icon.
I am a member of the British Association of Iconographers, www.BAI.org and participated in their 2009 Exhibition. I have also staged several exhibitions in Jersey and France.
The Holy Trinity
So how did I go about drawing the Holy Trinity? I knew immediately which icon I would do for Holy Trinity Church. I would attempt to follow the master of iconography himself, Andre Rublev. He wrote an icon of the Holy Trinity in 1425.
Writing an icon of the Holy Trinity
Rublev takes his inspiration for the icon from an Old Testament story – three angels who visit Abraham and Sarah at the Oak of Mamre. (Genesis 18).
To me this icon captures the essence of a Trinitarian faith belief. There is both unity and diversity held together in Rublev’s composition. One can feel the mutual love and the mutual involvement of each Person of the Trinity.
Here is my initial research and drawing.
Artist in Residence
To find out more, please visit Holy Trinity Church during the week of the 24th to 29th May. I will be artist in residence at that time and will be happy to share with you the richness found in writing an icon, especially the icon of the Holy Trinity.
Please visit my website www.iconspirit.com or my page on Facebook to keep up-to-date with the icon of the Holy Trinity.
Project Summary | The Process of Making an Icon & It's Meaning | Calendar of Events
