Art Transformed for Easter

by Danny Hindman

During Lent, All Souls in Richmond, VA had art installed over the altar. You can read about it here. For Easter, the artwork was transformed.

The middle panel in the original Lenten installation was replaced with a larger white/gold panel with cutouts referencing themes of the resurrection. A few significant motifs include a large circle (eternity/eternal life) a lamb, a ship (the church-as-ark), fish (God providing abundance out of desolation). The panel is larger (the resurrection is the final Truth about the telos of this world) and yet sin, sorrow, and death are still with us (the already/not yet of the post-resurrection world). We are joyful that "all manner of things shall be well," yet sober about the reality of suffering still among and around us all. 

Additionally, above and behind the altar is a mosaic of 2500+ 4x4 wood cuts arranged and individually stained in a sunburst pattern, with light and energy (i.e., life) emanating from the Corpus Christi. The mosaic was designed by our Liturgical Arts Coordinator, Ella Niles, and completed by her, her family, and several other members of the Liturgical Arts Team.

The Corpus itself is a 150+ year-old piece discovered at a ranch in Round Top, Texas. We think it was likely a part of a crucifix at a German Catholic Church, of which there are many in that part of the country. 

The Rev. Danny Hindman is the Vicar at All Souls Anglican Church in Richmond, VA.