We drove over to Lincoln today in order to install my exhibition in the Chapter House, at the Cathedral.* I had been rather concerned previously that my material would just disappear in such a large space, but in the event it looks fairly good. It was necessary to be quite inventive with respect to hanging the work (you can’t just knock nails into mediaeval stone work), but a little creativity goes a long way. I was pleased also with the way the “miniature (w)easels” look and function. Now all that remains is for the public to come and look at the pictures …. and buy the catalogue! (Their comment would be good to have also!)
The big surprise of the day was my wife’s discovery of the fact that in the room which now accommodates my art-work, King Edward I held a Parliament in 1301. If nothing else this makes me realise what a great privilege it is to be invited to exhibit there. I wonder what His Majesty might have made of it. After all, some of the original Green Man images were bering carved into English churches during his reign.
*The exhibition is entitled The Green Man: contemporary Christian responses to an ancient image. It will run until the end of the month.
Edward 1 would not have been referred to as ‘His Majesty’. At most I think it would have been ‘His Grace’. It was Henry VII who raised the monarchy higher above the nobility and created a greater gap between him and the Lords.
Not a lot of people know that.