Jake Lever
‘Do the Little Things’ installation at Coventry Cathedral 22nd May - 28th June 2021
On Saturday May 22nd I spent the day in the Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane, Coventry Cathedral making ‘Do the Little Things’ boats, meeting visitors and talking
with them. I was delighted that the first weekend of my installation there
coincided with the British Museum touring exhibition of the Lampesuda Cross - a
beautiful cross made from a refugee boat that was tragically wrecked. The ‘Do
the Little Things’ installation at Coventry continues until Monday 28th
June.
Gillian Lever
Van Gogh Creative Quiet Day and Pembrokeshire colour studies
With Becky Morse-Brown, Art Therapist and Spiritual Companion, I am offering three Creative Quiet mornings this month inspired by the life and paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. The title of the mornings Lighting up eternity in the midst of life comes from the Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen as he described the impact of Van Gogh’s life and work. Prior to become a painter, Van Gogh worked as an art dealer and a missionary, spending some significant years living and ministering amongst an impoverished mining community before moving to the south of France where he painted some of his more famous works. Drawing on many of Nouwen’s insights, we will be reflecting together on Van Gogh’s spirituality, especially the qualities of authenticity and compassion which so deeply characterised his life as he searched for his true vocation. The morning will include a visual presentation, opportunities to work creatively in silence and, for those who wish to, time to share reflections with one another.
All the mornings are fully booked. For information about future Creative Quiet Mornings contact Gillian.
Alongside this work I am developing work in the studio based on colour studies I recently completed in Pembrokeshire.
Gillian Lever
Ikon for Artists: Art Sale
Birmingham’s Ikon gallery reopens this month after lockdown, devoting its galleries to an exhibition of artworks for sale by over 250 Birmingham artists. Submitted though an open call, work in a range of media is presented both in the gallery and online. 100% of the proceeds from artworks go directly to the artists. Formed in response to Covid-19, Ikon for Artists aims to support local artists whose income has been impacted by the pandemic.
Gillian Lever will be exhibiting ‘Dream’, Oil on linen on board, framed by https://galeandcompany.com/ £850.00
More info: https://www.ikon-gallery.org/event/ikon-for-artists-art-sale/
Jake Lever
Ikon for Artists: Art Sale
In December 2020 Birmingham’s Ikon gallery launched an open call, inviting
Birmingham artists to submit an artwork with a value up to £1,000. There was no
curatorial selection process and no submission fee. Paricipants were required
to demonstrate that they have been practising as an artist in Birmingham
(full-time or part-time) and submissions were welcomed in a range of media.
Jake Lever will be exhibiting ‘Sarum’, Gouache and silver leaf on paper, framed
by https://galeandcompany.com/ £950.00
More info: https://www.ikon-gallery.org/event/ikon-for-artists-art-sale/
Ikon for Artists - 17 May - 31 May 2021
Opening times:
Mon - Fri, 11am - 4pm
Sat - Sun, 11am - 6pm
FREE entry
(A list of works available for purchase will be posted online from Tuesday 4 May)
Jake Lever
Online event
I have been invited by HeartEdge, an organisation initiated by the congregation of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, to curate an online event for their programme. Dr Paula Gooder, Chancellor at St Paul’s Cathedral, London will be interviewing me about my practice as an artist, how this relates to my spirituality, and how I have developed ‘Do the Little Things’ during the past six months. I plan to share how this evolving project is gradually creating a web of connection and belonging. The event takes place on Thursday 6 May from 7 to 8 pm, and you can book your place for free here.
Gillian Lever
New commission
This month I have been enjoying finishing work on another oil painting commission. Started early last year in the first Lockdown - the lime and magenta colours of this canvas resonate with the vibrant colours surrounding us in the natural world this new Spring. The title for the painting is ‘All in the end is harvest’ from Edith Sitwell’s poem ‘Eurydice’
”Love is not changed by death
and nothing is lost,
and all in the end is harvest.”
Please contact me if you would like to discuss a commission.
