Category Archives: Cathedral Art

Jesus Christ Conquers

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ησο ς Χριστὸς νικ is the Greek that in English is often written IC XC NIKA.

This symbolism is perhaps most appropriate to the Easter season and important at any celebration of the Resurrection such as a funeral or memorial – “Jesus Christ conquers.”

Jesus Christ Conquers bannerThe IC and XC are the first and last letters in the Greek words for Jesus and Christ, respectively. NIKA is connected to the word for victory, which we know from Greek mythology and even consumerism as “Nike.” Nike is the Greek goddess of victory, both in regards to war and friendly competition. She is often associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, and Zeus, the king of the Gods.

Christian denominations through history have incorporated this symbol in their denominational imagery, and it appears on various vestments, banners, or engravings. Popular in the Eastern Christian tradition, it often appears in iconography. Traditions where Communion is important have often had the formula stamped on communion breads.

Some biblical passages worth reflection and associated with the message:

Romans 8:31-39
1 Corinthians 15:50-58
What does it mean to be more than conquerors?

Psalm 20
What kinds of “victories” do we yearn for? What victory does the Psalmist describe? How are they similar or different from the victories of Romans 8?

1 John 5:1-5
How might this passage influence your understanding of Christ as conqueror?

John Hooper (1936-2006)

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The woodcut piece in the Lady Chapel at Christ Church Cathedral is by New Brunswick artist John Hooper.

English-born artist best known for his polychromed carved wood sculptures, Hooper spent much of his youth in China and served as a captain in the British Army in India in 1944. He was educated at the Royal College of Art and Bournemouth College of Art and studied with sculptor Jacob Epstein. After working at the University of Natal in South Africa from 1956-1962, Hooper moved to New Brunswick where he was hired to establish the art program for Saine John schools. He worked as a teacher for many years before devoting himself full­time to his art practice in 1974. Hooper was the sculptor of the cele­brated bronze figure of Terry Fox that faces Parliament Hill in Ottawa. (from Ar(T)chives: Visual Treasures from the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick - a booklet accompanying the exhibition at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery December 2022-May 2023)

John Hooper (scultpor) Wikipedia
Read about the Beaverbrook Art Gallery Exhibition
Watch a National Film Board 1979 production John Hooper's Way With Wood

Sarah Petite to receive prestigious art award

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A member of the Cathedral congregation, the talented artist Sarah Petite, has been selected as a recipient of a prestigious art award from the Sheila Hugh Mackay Foundation.

Sarah Petite will be presented with one of two 2022 Marie Hélène Allain Fellowship awards of $10,000, during a celebration on 26 August at Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts in St. Andrews.

These fellowship awards are presented every two years as part of the Foundation's mandate to promote the visual arts in New Brunswick. The Marie Hélène Allain Fellowship Award recognizes "the career accomplishments of New Brunswick mid-career artists, currently engaged in the exploration or the deepening of creative endeavour." It supports creative exploration and innovation, recognizing artists who have distinguished themselves during the last decade of their practice, and have proposed a significant body of new work.

According to the news release:
"The jury was convinced by the accomplishments and developments evidenced in the proposal of artist Sarah Petite, supported as it was by the eloquence of her succinct and eloquent artist’s statement. The artist’s perseverance in discovering new directions through considered engagement with her materials and process, reveal a practice that contributes to and is in discourse with modernist painting traditions. Sarah’s recent explorations in the reconciliation of painting and sculpture reveal objects that embody her creative experience and explorations, and suggest she is in an expansive period in her work."

We extend warmest congratulations to Sarah on this honour!

Sarah's work with encaustic paint can be seen in the gallery on her website. Her art has also been displayed in the Cathedral, including the Penal Cross and the Faces of Christ, which she created for our Godly Play children's program. Sarah is also a member of Lucy's Sewing Group, which makes, embroiders and repairs linens for various churches, including the Cathedral.

Handcrafted gifts from the ‘Cathedral Matters’

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The glass display case in the lobby of Memorial Hall once again contains beautiful artwork created by the Cathedral Matters Guild. The creations are available for purchase, with funds donated to the Cathedral Restoration Fund.

To the members of the Cathedral Matters, rug hooking brings joy as well as fellowship. They welcome new members and are willing to share their knowledge and skills to help others to learn the craft.

In addition to rug hooking, they share laughter and social times. The Guild meets regularly, every other Wednesday afternoon throughout the year, and takes a break in the summer. Meetings were temporarily postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but have resumed with the welcoming of friends, albeit masked and physically distanced.

Rug hooking is an art form that employs the use of a hook, frame, fabric and a pattern on a backing of linen. The hook is used to pull the wool through the linen to fill out the design on the top. The Guild primarily uses hand-dyed wool but also welcomes donations of reclaimed wool fabric.

Rug hooking is for sale at any time of the year. Members of the Guild have also created several commissioned mats of various sizes for tables and decorative wall hangings. Contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 or reach out to a member of the Guild, and be sure to look at the items for purchase in the lobby of Memorial Hall. You might find the perfect gift for a loved one... or yourself!

View the items currently for sale in our photo album on Facebook.

Members of Cathedral Matters (2020):
Doris Norman, Sandra Palmer, Sandra Stewart, Elizabeth Bastin, Diana Rayworth, Mary Allwood, Kaye Small, Diane Ramsey, Helen Rufelds

Fabrics, falls and frontals: the Cathedral displays works of eccesiastical art

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Fabrics, Falls and Frontals

G. MacKnight PHOTO

It began with a query from someone in a parish in the diocese: Do you ever exhibit all the needle-work Christ Church Cathedral has?

That query came to fruition on April 13 when dozens of people came in to view all that was on display: “the fabrics, falls and frontals that grace pulpit and altar,” as the Cathedral bulletin announced.

The Cathedral’s Anglican Church Women hosted the event, with guides, the Rev'd Canon Pat Drummond, a skilled fabric artist, and verger Hank Williams, giving information to curious visitors.

The many years of work illustrate the signs and symbols of the faith, and “the variety of stitches used that enhance these magnificent ecclesiastical hangings – some of which date to the 19th century.

Lucy’s Sewing Group members were on hand to explain the work behind the altar linens on display. This group meets weekly to work and chat and many work at home on their needlework for the Cathedral and other projects. Refreshments were appreciated by those who dropped by for an enjoyable afternoon admiring the many works of art.

Dean's note:
Lucy's Sewing Guild continues today in memory of Lucy McNeill, a skilled, energetic and passionate proponent of eccesiastical art expressed through church fabric art.

The Faces of Christ – by Sarah Petite

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The Faces of Christ are a version of images suggested and used with the Godly Play story method. On Good Friday 2018, "The Faces of Christ" was a modified Godly Play session and part of the worship that day. The "faces" images were created by artist Sarah Petite.

recognizable events in Jesus' ministry, no prompting needed

Here's what Sarah had to say about her images:

"I'd like to thank Cheryl Jacobs for taking a chance on me and asking me to provide these eight paintings for Godly Play! They were fun and very fulfilling to work on. I wanted to make them real 'action shots' - recognizable events in Jesus' ministry, no prompting needed. Just for one example, I especially like the scene of the young Jesus visiting the Temple, and astonishing a rather somber-looking priest with his learning and understanding. I hope the young people in Godly Play are enlightened and inspired by them!"

One - Jesus' birth and growth
In the beginning the baby was born ...

Two - Jesus is lost and found
The baby grew and became a boy ...

Three - Jesus' baptism and blessing
Jesus grew and became a man ...

Four - Jesus' discovery experience
Jesus went into the desert to discover ...

Five - Healer and parable-maker
Jesus came back across the River Jordan ...

Six - Into Jerusalem - bread and wine
Jesus went to Jerusalem ...

Seven - Jesus is crucified
The night was long and confusing ...

The Penal Cross – Sarah Petite

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Penal CrossThe large crucifix that hangs on the pillar in Christ Church Cathedral during the last two weeks before Easter is an adaptation of an Irish traditional form known as the "Penal Cross." One given to me many years ago hangs in my home, and gave me inspiration for my large version.

The original is simple and primitive in design, and shows many of the symbols associated with the Crucifixion: at the top, INRI ("Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews," in Latin): the hammer and nails, and the sun going through its darkened phases. On Jesus' wrist are the cords that bound him, and on the other side, the tongs used for removing the nails; down the sides, the spear which drew blood and water from Christ's side, the whip used in the scourging, and the ladder used to take him down from the cross. At the bottom struts the cock that crowed at Peter's denial; below it, the pot used to catch Jesus' blood.

My own version uses all these symbols, and I added to them three of my own favourites: the dice which the soldiers used to cast lots for Jesus' cloak; Judas' thirty pieces of silver and the skull, often depicted in crucifixions, said to be that of "the first Adam."

The smaller version which hangs at home, is black, carved from Irish peat. My crucifix is done in encaustic paint (made with beeswax and pigment) on wood.

Sarah Petite, 2005