I AM...

It is often inspiring to witness the artistic skills in our midst.  The photograph here is of a beautiful recent calligraphic work by local Herald Painter Timothy Noad.  The framed piece, nearly a metre across, now hangs in St John’s Chapel, within St Giles’ Church.  It depicts the sayings of Jesus quoted in St John’s Gospel, when He used the phrase “I AM” together with a metaphor such as "the light of the world”.  Accompanying the calligraphy is an explanation of its content and there are copies of this which can be taken away.  

There are many instances in the Gospel in which Jesus uses the phrase “I AM”.  Timothy has chosen to illuminate the better-known sayings, sometimes known as the ‘Seven Claims’.  (The Bread of Life and the Living Bread are usually counted together but have been treated separately here, making the eight phrases shown.)

Adrian formally dedicated the painting to God on Advent Sunday, when he explained that it had inspired him to preach a series of sermons throughout Advent on the “I AM” theme.  Adrian also issued a set of guiding leaflets (available in St Giles’) aimed at helping the reader to do some thinking about the man who risked everything by the way He chose to describe himself. 

 

Timothy at work

The work was written and illuminated with quills, pens and brushes, using gold paint and leaf on dark blue paper.  The small photograph can barely do it justice - you can however, view it in more detail by double-clicking on it, or click here.

Better still, why not go to see the real thing for yourself?  The work is now permanently installed in St John’s Chapel, which is open each weekday around midday (except Friday) and on Saturday mornings from 10.30am until 12 noon.