Each cell in the monastery contains a bed, a cross, a chair, a wardrobe, a desk, and one picture of the sisters choice. Shared poverty and the renunciation of the individual ownership are characteristic of a monastic community.
Anne Noble, Artist
This is one of the
photographs
in our collection.
It was made in
Tyburn, London, England, Great Britain
in 1988.
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
Gregory O'Brien, 1989
This record represents a work in a series and has related works.
Measurements
Work: H13.8 x W19.7cm
Frame: H53.6 x W43.5 x D2cm
Frame: H53.6 x W43.5 x D2cm
Media
Silver toned gelatin photograph
Description
From the Series "In the presence of Angels- Photographs of Contemporary life" 56 photographs."Two primary raw materials of photography, time and light, also happen to be two concepts central to the monastic life. Anne Noble's exhibition, In the presence of angels, which has been touring New Zealand for the last two years, 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 nun's preoccupation with transcending the materiality and temporality of existence. In a catalogue essay to the show, 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"**" by Gregory O'Brien. Article ' Silent Films', in 'Illusions'. pg 36. See Loan file.
*In the presence of Angels, Exhibition catalogue, Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui, 1989, pp7-10.
**Ibid
*In the presence of Angels, Exhibition catalogue, Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui, 1989, pp7-10.
**Ibid
Credit Line
On long term loan to the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui
Collection Type
Loans
Collection
Acquisition Date
1991