In a frame hanging in the cloister is one of the 'little habits' which were worn by the first sisters under their ordinary clothes. The Sacred Heart is the focus of the devotional life which Adele Garnier, the foundress established. The crossed keys are the symbol of the Catholic Church.

Anne Noble, Artist

This is one of the photographs in our collection. It was made in Tyburn, London, England, Great Britain in 1988.
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Object Detail


About the Work
From the series of 56 photographs"In the presence of Angels- Photographs of Contemporary life" ."Two primary raw materials of photography, time and light, also happen to be two concepts central to the monastic life. Anne Noble's series captures the reality inhabited by the Benedictine nuns of Tyburn Convent, near the centre of London, and also illuminates the photo-artist's own practice. Nobles exposures reflect the nuns' preoccupation with transcending the materiality and temporality of existence. In a catalogue essay, to the 1989 Sarjeant Gallery touring exhibition, Mother M. Xavier McMonagle describes her monastic vocation as a "spiritual dance between time and eternity". Photography is, in its own way, also a dance or transaction between time and timelessness. Its objective, like the liturgical life, can be "to sanctify time and all human activity".
Gregory O'Brien, 1989
This record represents a work in a series and has related works.
Measurements
Support H131 x W194
Image H126 x W187
Frame 482 x 585 x 20mm
Media
Silver toned gelatin photograph
Description
Black and white image of two framed items on a wall showing the reflections of the windows opposite. The first framed item is a former 'habit' embroidered cloth showing a heart with cross and crossed keys, the second framed item contains an image and some hand-written text.
Credit Line
On long term loan to the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
Collection Type
Loans
Acquisition Date
1991

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Accession Number:
L1991/23/4

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