Australian Catholic Liturgical Art
A Work of the National Liturgical Architecture and Art Council
St Francis’ Church, Lonsdsale St, Melbourne
In 1978, the two brothers, Dan Flynn BArch and John Flynn BSc, followed their father, also Dan Flynn, as silversmiths in a family business based in Kyneton, central Victoria. Their extensive array of ecclesiastical work began in 1947 when their father designed a chalice for his brother Leo, a Jesuit, to use at his ordination. Continue reading “Flynn Silver Communion Vessels”
Victorian sculptor Ernst Fries is known for his monumental works in stainless steel and granite, glass and concrete. He was born in Würzburg, Germany, and after a difficult childhood during World War II, studied gold and silver-smithing in Switzerland. He came to Australia in 1959. He settled in the Yarra Valley in 1986 where the landscape inspired him to explore themes of rebirth and new life in the elegant clean lines of his modern sculpture. With work in gallery collections in Australia and overseas, he has received many commissions for public sculpture, for example, in 2013, the glass and concrete panels of the Yarra Glen Black Saturday Memorial. Continue reading “Ernst Fries (1934-2020)”
St Francis of Assisi, Mill Park, VIC
Introduction
The stained glass window entitled The Canticle of the Sun in St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish, Mill Park, VIC, was installed almost twenty years before Pope Francis was elected in March 2013. Continue reading “The Canticle of the Sun”
The Cathedral of St Stephen in Brisbane holds the best collection of the work of Australian sculptor, John Elliott (1943-2016). Nowhere else are there three major works together. The cathedral has the shrine of Virgin Mary, the altar crucifix and the diocesan shrine of patron St Mary MacKillop. John Elliott was born in Canterbury, England, studied at the Royal College of Art in London, and migrated to Australia in 1970. He taught sculpture at the Queensland College of Art. Continue reading “Commissioning A Liturgical Artist”
The Ardagh Chalice is a superb and ornate example of early medieval Irish liturgical metalwork, dating from around the 9th century. Continue reading “Cardinal Moran’s Replica of the Ardagh Chalice”
Clothing and light are just two of a cluster of symbols that are at play in the Catholic rites of initiation and of farewell. Continue reading “A Garment and A Lighted Candle – A Long View”
Pauline Clayton worked as a sculptor in Melbourne and her works are featured in various institutions, including St Francis’ Church, Lonsdale Street, and schools, including Catholic Ladies College, Eltham. In addition to juggling the responsibilities of marriage, helping to raise three children and teaching, Pauline undertook art classes at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) and taught art and sculpture in secondary schools, including Geoghegan College, Broadmeadows and Genazzano fcj College, Kew, VIC. Continue reading “Pauline Clayton Sculptor (10 July 1944 — 3 October 2012)”
Bronze sculptures (c. 2000)
University of Notre Dame, Freemantle, Western Australia
The 14 Stations of the Cross by Australian sculptor Peter Schipperheyn were commissioned around the year 2000 for the University of Notre Dame, Freemantle, Western Australia. Continue reading “Peter Schipperheyn – Stations of the Cross”
In the aftermath of World War II thousands of displaced persons from Europe sought a new home in Australia. They came bringing a diverse array of talents to the arts thus contributing to a new and unique artistic sensibility in this country. In time, a flourishing of art, literature, drama and music emerged. One of these immigrant artists was the young sculptor Leopoldine Mimovich. Continue reading “Leopoldine Mimovich – Immigrant Artist”
The inspiration of St Francis Xavier Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia, considered by some as one of the finest cathedrals built in the 20th century[i], can be found in the Arts and Crafts Movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the principles of the Arts Crafts Movement is engagement of local builders, artists and crafts persons in the construction and decoration of buildings and the use of vernacular materials. Continue reading “Translucence of Light”