Python-esque saintly gathering on show at Ceri Hand Gallery

Aug 14 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Doug Jones with his work at Ceri Hand Gallery _320

AS PLAYFUL as it is unsettling, and as thought-provoking as it is eyebrow-raising, a new city exhibition needs to be seen to be believed.

Inservi Deo et Laetare (“serve God and be cheerful”), is the second to be held at the Ceri Hand Gallery, and is inspired by the artist’s own personal experiences of religion intertwined with numerous political, spiritual and satirical double meanings.

It’s the largest solo show for Doug Jones, who took the name from his old school motto.

The show was inspired by a recent trip to Italy, during which the artist witnessed the mysterious midnight processions of the cult-like Apostolic Brethren.

This, together with the “lifelong impact” of his own upbringing, having been sent to boarding school at seven to become a choirboy at Lichfield Cathedral, formed the basis of the project.

London-based, he created the fictional Brotherhood of the Saints (with St Jason and St Wayne among them), each with their own detailed history – often scandalous.

The lavish 21 robes of differing styles were handmade over three months, with material from around Europe and made exactly as for ecclesiastical use.

“It’s a humorous, sometimes serious fictional group of saints. They have good intentions, but power corrupts,” he says. “The project is about what happens when you join a collective and put on a uniform and are no longer an individual.”

Climate change, gay rights, and the War on Terror are some of the thought-provoking themes touched on – and literally embroidered into – the imposing overall piece.

“I wanted a large group of figures to create that sort of atmosphere where people at first find it strange and disturbing,” he said.

“It was a fantastic opportunity to work with Ceri in a new gallery, and it’s been a real privilege.”

Ceri, who describes the work as “Monty Python-esque” said: “It is an amazing individual work which I want to sell to a gallery or mus-eum, but they may be sold separate-ly if we find the right buyer.”

Inservi Deo et Laetare opens at the Ceri Hand Gallery until September 11, and can be viewed, Wednesday to Saturday, from 10am to 6pm.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk