Wednesday, February 02, 2011

The Spirit of Emily Carr



God is in them all. Now I know that is all that matters. The only thing worth striving for is to express God. Every living thing is God made manifest. All real art is the eternal seeking to express God, the one substance out of which all things are made. Emily Carr
Snowmageddon. Snowpocalypse. Interesting how biblical images have crept into descriptions of "snow events" these days. There was some shovelling this morning, but honestly, it just wasn't that bad. I am glad I have a very short commute.
Two Sundays ago we left worship at First Met United Church in balmy Victoria and walked to the city art gallery. We knew there was an exhibit called On the Edge of Nowhere, about the artwork and life of Emily Carr, who lived in Victoria and roamed Vancouver Island and beyond to Haida Gwaii, the Queen Charlotte Islands. Carr has been a favourite artist for both of us for years and we went to an extensive exhibit of her work at the AGO a couple of years ago.

The Victoria exhibit brought home Carr's deep spiritual connection with nature and her life-long, although uneasy involvement with the church. She was often a reluctant churchgoer, annoyed with the self-righteousness of preachers along the way. Yet when her respected mentor, Lawren Harris of the Group of Seven, tried to persuade her toward theosophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosophy she ultimately resisted.

In the evening that Sunday I attended the Epiphany Explorations dramatic/musical presentation of Carr's life, Exploring the Mystery of Emily Carr, created and enacted by two Victoria musicians and actors, along with the music director from First Met. It was well done, and enhanced by visual images of Carr's works. For me it brought together a love of Christ's community, a love of nature, and a love of artistic expression.

We also sought out the new statue of Emily Carr near the Empress Hotel which depicts her, her monkey named Woo, and dog Billie.

Do you know Carr's work or know much about her? What do you think about the intertwining of art, nature, and the church?

2 comments:

janet.rice said...

Yes!!!!I am a great fan of Emly Carr - have seen her work at the Vancouver Art Gallery and the AGO - it is truly spiritual. Art, music, drama, faith - it is all intertwined. The Epiphany Exploration planners create some amazing programs......I almost want to attend myself!

David Mundy said...

I hope others respond Jan, but a couple of thoughts related to your comments. First of all, if you do attend Epiphany Explorations I know where you can be billeted. Coincidentally, the host shares your birthday.

Your mention of the Vancouver Art Gallery nudges me to include the website for their Emily Carr Gallery. Thanks.

http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/EmilyCarr/