If you walk through the grounds of Loughborough's historic parish church on your daily exercise you will see a new temporary art installation. Designed by church member, Rachael Brind-Surch, it is a cross inspired by the colourful crosses of El Salvador that depict Jesus amidst the local contemporary community. Revd Wendy Dalrymple, Rector of All Saints, challenged her congregation to come up with an El Salvador style cross for our current situation. Rachel, a graphic designer and illustrator, responded straight away.
'As I created the composition I drew in the key elements which I think will come to define this time, parents homeschooling, health care workers struggling in PPE, delivery and shop workers and those of us working from home in order to ‘help flatten the curve’
I included some terraced housing and the Carillon as a symbol of loughborough as well as our own Parish Church.'
For Rachael spirituality and art have always gone together.
'Through it all I’m trying to keep centred around my faith in Christ. His character and demonstration of love can be found in each act of selflessness, or sacrifice and he is framed by the rainbow, a symbol of God’s promise and hope after the storm, which has now taken on further meaning with its use throughout the windows of our homes to show support to key workers.'
Transforming the design from a simple sketch to the large intallation now on display was a community effort, Rachael says:
'Initially I was a bit concerned about getting materials together, but with the help of some friends and our local branch of Jewson we were able to safely and responsibly source some materials.'
Revd Wendy was delighted with the finished art piece and hopes many people will enjoy it.
'We hope this will give comfort and joy to those on their daily exercise and remind people that even the little sacrifices are seen and appreciated.'
