Risen Catalogue - Monnow Valley Arts Centre

9John Brokenshire(born 1958)Pentecost c. 2004Oil, 76.2 × 76.5 cmThis abstract painting is perhaps best described by the artisthimself:The work was a long time in the making. Its final form cametogether as a synthesis of various key concerns I had beenliving with and pondering. First it came from a period ofinterest in shadow and light as pictorial elements and thedesire to create paintings from their interaction. Meanwhilethe white floating image was thanks to drawings I had beenmaking in the museum from stuffed birds. Over time I beganto visit snowy owls and wrens in my imagination and theybecame emblems of purity and grace.I was keen to get a very loosely represented image of a birdin space into my painting. But I wanted a sense of a birdhovering, not on a trajectory. At the same time I hoped to referin some way to angels: even if very obliquely by colour aloneor by suggestion. Darkness had to be the counterpoint to this.I had been looking at the depth of shade found in Rembrandtand Caravaggio. In such paintings enormous stillness anddrama can co-exist. I had been pondering how to convey asense of a powerful, compelling moment that can be so vividwithin figurative art. When the painting came together it feltas if these elements had meshed.For many years my painting had been an effort to createmy own vocabulary and to honour the natural world. A longstandinghope has been to convey a sense of the mysterywithin nature. But recently I have felt a shift and a longing torefer more openly to the inner world. I would define innerspace not as a space of sanctuary, but of involvement, journey,even encounter. There is more of a sense of urgency orpressure to deal with new material, related to transformationand the awareness of spiritual help and guidance. The titlePentecost was not suggested by me, but was the highest interpretationI could hope for from any viewer.I have long believed in God: I was first drawn to thespiritual in nature and in the practice of meditation and in myreading. I have been fortunate to take part in healing circlesand then have strongly felt a sense of a wonderful benignforce. I would search to re-encounter this presence, and wouldeven hope to find it in the process of painting. Gently andgradually I made my way back to the church. I was concernedabout the spiritual needs of my young children. Now I wish ithad been much sooner!20