Praise Sculpture
O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer s praise,
The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of his grace !
Glory to God, and praise and love Be ever, ever given,
By saints below and saints above,
The Praise of a Thousand Tongues
The Base
The base of the piece indicates the theme of the Pillar in the Temple of God,
From the base at the centre, tongues of flame rise up.
These flames remind us that sometimes there is a sacrifice of Praise
The Pillar
The pillar itself is made of a glass sheet in which are engraved the white shapes of the praising throng, the shapes are identical, which echoes the truth of our equality in Christ.
The shape of the Praising throng becomes the wedding dress of the Bride of Christ.
Here you have the thousand tongues as each of the redeemed say so in testimony and praise, so the good news is spread and the Kingdom of God increases
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.
The Bride
The arms and the head of the Bride are cast in Burnished Bronze.
Her form will be simple and beautiful, catching the light and drawing the eye.
The full shape of the Bride, is the same shape of the individual tongue of Praise ~
her bridal dress is made up of the throng of the redeemed within the Temple Pillar.
The outstretched arms are those flung up in Praise, yet they echo the image of the Outstretched arms of Jesus Christ ~ It was for the Joy set before Him that He endured the cross and here we are
Redeemed and Praising because of Jesus.
May every one who sees the sculpture remember they are Precious to Christ and equal part of the Great Testimony of His Goodness. May we be inspired to keep pressing on to do the work He has given us, us with the saints before us,
He speaks, and, listening to his voice, New life the dead receive,
The mournful, broken hearts rejoice, The humble poor believe.
Hear Him, ye deaf, His praise, ye dumb,
Sketch of Praise of a Thousand Tongues
An attitude of Praise, Clean lines and shape
Proportions to Site
The Sculpture is set within the given 8 foot square area, so that the arms are raised just above the intersection of the square.
The sculpture is designed to draw, and hold the gaze and direct it to the words of the hymn on the wall above.
Recommended lighting of the pillar - Bride's dress ( from below ) and the head and shoulders of the Bride from above and in front.
The sculpture combines classic figurative representation with contemporary design, simplicity and modern materials, technology and lighting.
Sculpture Designed to Celebrate the Privilege and Challenge of Christian Praise
ARTIST PROFILE
Examples of JOELs work have been on exhibition overseas, in London, the Eastern Counties, the North of England, and near her old home ground of the Welsh Border. Her study of Seahorses entitled Treasure from Darkness was a runner up in a National Sculpture Competition.
Her work has won the Top Twenty Best New Product at the London Gift Fair, and the prestigious Gift of the Year Award from the International Spring fair.
She has received many commissions, including the Two Market Ladies and
The Shepherds Child
JOEL was commissioned by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society for their Centenary celebration sculptures of all four types Sec A,B,C, & D.
Other examples include work for
The Shire Horse Society, Welsh Pony & Cob Society,
Percheron Horse Society, International Shetland Pony Show,
International League for the Protection of Horses, Burmese Cat Club.
Exclusive editions and trophies have been made for
The Animal Health Trust, and Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
JOEL also has undertaken work including :-
Portraits of animals and people, the design and installation of water features,
and other sculpture installations for public and private venues.
JOEL has created images and sculpture as part of Christian worship, both individually and with groups.
- - Her artwork has included sculptures,
drawings, two dimensional pieces in mixed media,
murals and glasswork.
She has been on radio and British TV and gives after dinner talks, preaches on mission and holds workshops in making three dimensional items and Prayer.
JOEL is currently involved in an Outreach project taking the Shepherds Child Sculpture into public venues with a view to share the gospel with people who have no connection to church.
The Face of the Bride
The Brides face is simple and smooth and even. She has turned slightly, since all her attention is, in worship fully on the LORD Jesus and not on the on-looker.
Hands Uplifted in Praise
The Brides hands are raised in prayer and joy as described in the Psalms ~ she is lifting Holy hands to Heaven.
Labels: O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing