This exhibition of painting, addressing the theme of self-examination and confession, in a religious context, brings together for the first time at Sunderland Minster, two Romanian artists, Adrian Dobre and Petrică Bistran. The artists’ body of work form a dialogue and reflect creatively on the interaction between our emotional states and physical spaces which the activity of confession very often entails.
Dobre’s work, through a series of portraits, conveys aspects regarding the inner life. Most of the portraits allude to the psychological condition of confession and bear the mark of a deeply internal journey, implying failure but also the desire for new beginnings recalling the life-changing power of faith in Jesus Christ. Other portraits, however, suggest a more contemplative state of mind rising as a reflection upon the spiritual life.
Bistran produced a series of artworks on the theme of interior as a response to Dobre’s self-reflective paintings. His more colourful paintings are also an exploration of the relationship between stillness and movement, two nouns often used in the language of confession. His interior spaces, however, are empty of human presence, suggesting an aftermath of human activity or simply serve as metaphors for meditation.
There is an opportunity for the public to engage with the art works in a more spiritual way through prayer and meditation, and to meet the artists on the following dates:
19 March & 9 April at 7:00 pm. All are welcome!