The Reflections by the MacLaughlin exhibition opens at the Lord Raglan Gallery in Cooma at 3pm on Saturday. It showcases the creativity of the members and friends of the Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Monastery by the MacLaughlin.
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The works have been created by over 12 artists who use clay, wood or paint as a medium to express their vision and relationship to the natural world around them.
Thirty five years ago a skete, or monastic community, under the authority of the Orthodox Christian Church, was established by the MacLaughlin River, near Bombala. This became The Holy Transfiguration Monastery, a community of men who have come together to share a love of God and his natural world.
Originally, the skete, and later Monastery, were founded under the guidance of Archimandrite Alexis and, when he retired, Hieromonk Sergius, known as Father Sergei, became the Abbot. As the foundation of the community was the love of God and the love of the natural world, it is pleasing that these characteristics are evident in the lives of the fathers and brothers who share this unique way of living and it is a priceless treasure that this is also the way the members react with the wider community.
One of the communities founding principles and way of life secondary to prayer, is the pursuit of art and craft. Within the community there are potters, painters, iconographers, woodworkers, gardeners, farmers, apiarists and candle makers. This exhibition focuses on woodfired ceramics specifically, among other artistic pursuits and expressions.
The Monastery pottery studio has two wood fire kilns, a boerry box and an anagama kiln. Father Sergei has a passion to encourage other potters and artists in their journey to produce the works of which they are capable and to accommodate the individual creativity in this wider community.
There are also sacred and secular art works by Archimandrite Alexis and Min. Father Alexis is a world renowned iconographer, having worked internationally on behalf of Russian Orthodox communities. There will be examples of the wood working skills of Father Makarkis. This exhibition has works that will speak to anyone with a passion for humanity and world.
The Monaro community is invited to attend the opening on Saturday or the exhibition at any time that the Raglan Gallery is open, between November 12 and 27.
