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This page top L-R : Jamie Fitzpatrick “ Prince St . Charming Jjjorge 2021 , Svay Sareth “ Head and Power ” 2018 , Ahmed Abdel Fattah “ Sufi ” 2016 , Russell Young Marilyn Monroe Pink and Black 2016 . Below right : Chris Williamson portrait by Dan Fontanelli
SP Is that important that visitors understand ? CW It is to me . I think they will . If not there will be someone on hand to explain if they ask . The education room is named after Dick Venning - it can take a lifetime to work out how to thank someone . It is a space to welcome schools and other groups and if just one 16 year old is inspired that will be enough . The church was designed by local Architect John Higginbottom and completed in 1938 . It now has the opportunity to inspire a new generation in its new use . The building itself will be an amazing canvas for artists to express ideas . I just hope people will visit . It ’ s free , has great coffee , so why not ?
SP Do you have any religious art ? CW I do . I am fascinated by religion and have a collection of about 50 icons mainly of St Nicholas dating from the fifteenthcentury onwards . They were often painted by unknown artists as acts of religious devotion throughout Eastern Europe and cost me a few hundred pounds each . In the gallery they will be displayed at Christmas alongside Andy Warhol ’ s Santa Claus . Warhol photographed Macy ’ s Santa on his Polaroid camera , projected the image on the wall , traced the image onto cartridge paper to generate the silkscreen . He produced 250 prints , each one now worth tens of thousands more than any of the handpainted icons . To me that says a lot about what we value and I know it will make a great exhibition . Even I haven ’ t seen them all together before . The Polaroids , the sketch , the prints and the 50 icons . It will make people think . It does me anyway .
Chris Williamson is Chairman at Weston Williamson + Partners , part of the Egis Group of companies
www . westonwilliamson . com