A place for creative people, is just a little of what Amanartis is about.
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost three years since I opened the studio.
The thing I love most about the having this space is the opportunity for new experiences – you never know who is going to walk in or what new idea you may be presented with or collaborate on – it really is an inspiring space.
Over the past few months more and more people have discovered us on their quest for places of interest in Watford or for Art galleries in Watford. When they step in the reaction is nearly always the same and one that I will never grow tired of – a total expression of awe and wonder that the studio exists and that they didn’t know about it.
Recently however we were visited by someone who had a very adverse response to the use of the building and the work being created with in.
A complaint! Interesting I thought on reading the message: I then followed it with the message below:
"The Evil in the World"
The Complaint
Dear Sir
I was very disappointed when I heard that you had turned the Chapel in Vicarage Road cemetery into a café and art gallery, but to add insult to injury today I heard that the so called art is demonic, as is the music being played.
A friend from Holy Rood Catholic Church visited earlier this week, with a non-Christian, and both were very upset to see demonic pictures next to the chapel’s original painting of Jesus Christ, and hear the music that was being played to accompany the display. They were also subjected to the delight on the man’s face at their horror of what they were witnessing.
My friend is in hospital, so is not able to contact you herself, as a lifelong resident of Watford I agreed to contact you on her behalf, and if necessary her friend is also willing to contact you when he knows who to contact.
There are lots of Christians buried in the cemetery including my parents, and it is so sad to hear that you have completely disregarded the Christian values this country is based on, a reason the cemetery and chapel exist.
One of the essential aspects of the Catholic Faith is that we bury our dead, having done so, we should not then have to worry that the place they are buried in has been turned in to a money making enterprise for the evil in the world.
I hope that you will review how the consecrated chapel is being used, and what is displayed, in line with the beliefs of the people, both those buried in the cemetery, and their families that still visit their graves, to ensure a more appropriate use of the building now and in the future.
I would contact the Watford Observer, but I will not give free publicity to such an unacceptable use of a consecrated chapel.
The Response
Hi Laura,
I’m very well thank you.
In response to the complaint below, firstly I would like to pass on my regret that the visitors felt that the motivation of the art being created was a deliberate attempt to be offensive, this was not in any way the intention. On the contrary, the work being produced by John Richard Hewitt (JRH), the artist and supported by myself the owner of the business, a fellow artist and a endorsor of work with social commentary, is to look into the origins of the thoughts that we have, the belief structures, our stereotypes and why we see things in a positive or negative light, beautiful or grotesque.
As a deeply Godly person of Christian background, I believe there is a necessity to look at faith in its entirety. There are figures throughout scripture and before that were demonised, misinterpreted and misunderstood. John’s study into the Gods of the old religions and ancient Sumerian text alludes to questions around our understanding of characters that were seen as good or evil. John Richard Hewitt is arguably one the most Godly, well versed and knowledgable people most people would have ever encountered if given the time to speak with him.
His current body of work is inline with my own research into community, tribes, practices and how we can have conversations that bring people closer together. As a women of African origin I have often wondered, why and how the Christian faith was able to take hold in parts of the world that for thousands of years prior practiced other ways of connecting to Source, The Creator and who decided that tribal practices were savage, lesser and unGodly? All topics of conversation that can ultimately help us all to understand each other better and look deeper into our own beliefs. I strongly believe that we are living in a time where there is a need for us to connect to a God/The Source, in a way that speaks to each of us personally, however this cannot be done with one world view of God and the beliefs that we hold “I have made you all different so that you can come together to know each other” quoted as being revealed by Arch Angel Gabriel to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Art is always subject to interpretation. Whether it’s a cubist rendition of the story of ‘The Prodigal Son’ or large scale icons of Jesus and Mary, which were painted by the same artist, the response are questions and answers that are personal to the viewer.
The Chapel/Amanartis and the reason for committing to this social endeavour, is that I sincerely see myself as an humanitarian. I’m committed to work that brings people together, forms community and serves to bring a positive experience to anyone that visits. I’m grateful that until now we have had the pleasure of people visit that have been moved, inspired to create, change careers and have traveled to visit us on recommendation.
The coffee station named ‘Breaking Bread’ is a nod to my desire to commune with people, in the name of the Christian practice of breaking together and the loving nature in which this is done. I bake for the studio and this is my offering and the prices are not to make money but to cover the cost to continue to do so at a price that welcomes people. It is one of the main reasons people visit – for rest bite, a place to reflect and the welcoming relaxed environment (in the words of many visitors).
The Chapel offers local artists and visitors with a creative space that I hope they can feel proud of, that enriches their cultural experience in Watford.
It’s unfortunate that the visitors feel that their loved ones place of rest is tainted by the presence of the art being created and the studio it’s self. If willing, I would welcome a conversation into the background of the work so that they can feel at peace knowing that the intention of the space does not conflict with their desire for a restful place for their departed.
Lastly, the day of the visit was a Saturday, a day we are not open to the public so that we as the artists can work uninterrupted. However we never like to turn people away, if we are around we often let people in. During this time the music being played can be of a more personal preference rather than what is played during normal opening hours. Even so I was informed the music was the soundtrack to a video game that JRH likes to work to. I’m familiar with the music and although it is not something I would play during the day due to it’s more subdued nature, I feel it is not scary or demonic as perceived.
If the visitors would like to meet outside of the studio to discuss this matter further I am more than happy to do so.
Kindest regards,
Amma
It’s been an interesting experience responding to this complaint. It gave me the opportunity to clarify and share my intention for the studio and my personal mission. It has shown how art can be the perfect medium to bring about awareness and hopefully growth and change for good.
