Wiela II

Art + Christianity, in collaboration with Friends of Friendless Churches, are hosting a ground-breaking exhibition, offering an art trail and pilgrimage to a number of ancient rural churches near the Black Mountains in South Wales. This area in the Brecon Beacons /Bannau Brycheiniog is famous for its dramatic series of peaks and stunning summit views. Nestled within nearby valleys are many hidden churches which hold outstanding visual culture including sgraffito wall paintings, medieval screens and other fine and ancient ecclesiastical features. Six of these are remarkable buildings in the care of Friends of Friendless Churches and, together with Dore Abbey, each will host a single installation or artwork, sympathetically and sensitively presented as a coherent and meaningful experience

Maritime vessels are also used as a metaphor for the church, the word ‘nave’ deriving from the Latin – navis – for ship. In this sense, the whole church is called to be a vessel of God's love and grace, and to carry these gifts into the world. Barbara Beyer translates these ideas through her boat forms. Wiela, created from adobe clay, recycled wood and roof slates, are seemingly sturdy vessels with bare prominent cracks suggesting that they are also vulnerable to the elements despite the protective shelter of the slate roof tiles which offer sanctuary. The vessels are moored in the quiet churchyard of St Cadoc, Llangattock Vibon Avel. Jacquiline Creswell