The Gallery Wall
The Gallery Wall – A Visual Offering of Worship
Works displayed on the Gallery Wall in our foyer, changing with the liturgical season or current worship theme, celebrate the profound beauty and mystery of creation that reveals glimpses of the divine, inviting viewers to encounter God’s presence in moments of transcendent wonder. Each display, and the works therein, serves as a bridge between the seen and unseen, drawing hearts toward the ultimate source of all beauty and creativity—Jesus Christ, who deeply desires an intimate, transforming relationship with all who seek Him.
Current Installation – Lengthening, by Keith Barker (February 18 – April 5)
“Deep in the chilly doldrums of a Kentucky February, I decided to photograph the Eastern cedar in our front yard, picking one image as representative of each day. The forty-day structure for my project was defined by the lengthening days of Spring – from which we get the word “Lent,” as in, the ancient Lenten tradition of fasting and contemplation in preparation for the Easter season and spring. We see here Ash Wednesday in the top left, and Easter morning at the bottom right—forty consecutive days of winter and spring, one image for each day.
At the start, this project was about the discipline to stay faithful to the work: a daily, liturgicaliv exercise of persistently photographing the same tree. Over the weeks that ensued, I watched this humble tree tolerate all sorts of weather, yet it remained what and where it is. A new understanding of steadfastness emerged. The undertaking grew to become more about the nature of change, and what remains unchanged. The small things we do daily become more important as they accumulate — because they accumulate. Individual acts amass long-term change when committed consistently. The collective details in these images not only show us facts but allude to events and truths beyond what is shown.
The time-bound nature of Lengthening defined its conclusion, but the idea of photographing close-to-home kept coming back as viable options for my practice, especially as I put into motion Wendell Berry’s idea of “valuing familiarity above innovation.” It thus became a chronicle of my family’s life. My kids can be seen “photo bombing” some days; other times they insisted they not be included in any images. Sometimes they were just in the yard blithely walking through. Our geriatric dog can be seen curiously walking around her domain with me, sniffing at the grass and the snow. Her personality and the memory of her life linger in this piece. Our son’s ninth birthday party transpired here. All the things that bring me joy—that sense of time passing, the life of my family and my home, and the always-changing weather—are wrapped up here. I’m grateful for what these images continue to reveal year after year.”
Past Installations:
Joseph Cory – 24 Winter Works – digital media
Malcom Guite – O Sapienta – poem
Dawn Baker – Father Damien – oil on canvas
Delro Rosco – Come and See – oil on canvas