Original contemporary art
Four Pluscarden brethren currently produce original art work, whether for sale or simply as an outlet for creative expression. Samples of this work are given below.
Please click an image to enlarge.
Br Cyprian Bampton
Each of these images was produced using principally vector graphics software but starting from either traditional pencil or pen and ink thumbnail sketches. Due to the complexity of some of the visual elements and the limitations imposed by the hardware often these pictures have been worked up from a number of smaller separate files then composited and if necessary flattened to reduce file sizes. I like to vary the techniques and genres so that the finished painting may range in appearance from precise and realistic to quite painterly and abstract. A religious theme or text is often unobtrusively represented.
12/11/2020 DCB
Br Daniel Morphy
Br Daniel entered Pluscarden Abbey in 1998 after taking a degree in art at Kingston University and Camberwell College of Art in London. After graduation he studied traditional Byzantine iconography, this forming part of his juniorate studies at Pluscarden. He continues to paint and draw, albeit in a more contemporary mode.
At present he is working on pen and ink drawings which take their cue from the American ‘Underground Comix’ movement of the 1960’s, but rather than strip cartoons take the form of single panel surrealist narratives. These various influences inform and are informed by being further developed into oil paintings. The content is influenced by, as much as anything, scriptural and theological themes, thus exploring a creative interface between traditional Christian culture and the post ‘60’s “counter-culture” which provides much of the ambience of the secular world.
November ‘20
Buy selected prints (framed / unframed) from our shop.
Articles and Writing:
Br Daniel Morphy OSB: Living Inside and Outside the Rules
An article by Robert Priseman, founder of Contemporary British Painting and co-founder of the Priseman Seabrook art collection.
Read full article on the Art Uk Website here.
An Explanation from Within – Thoughts on Drawing & Painting.
By Br. Daniel Morphy
Pluscarden Benedictines Magazine Interview, Br. Daniel Morphy
Br Finbar Boyle
After seeing the beautiful Inscriptions created by the Welsh artist-poet David Jones, I began to study calligraphy with a view to incorporate it into my Lectio Divina somehow. This never quite worked out for me as I had hoped but I think it could be fruitful avenue to pursue for others.
I was lucky enough to study with some really wonderful teachers at various symposia over the years. After a while I realised I did not have the time it took for the intensive practice it takes to become a really good calligrapher. I did however receive a lot of inspiration from these teachers and the others with whom I worked at these symposia. This still affects my work to this day.
Still needing an artistic outlet, I turned to abstract painting, which remains a work in progress. I still use a text as a springboard for my work, though it’s not always explicit in the finished work.
I work mainly in acrylics or mixed media. Earlier this year a week before lock down, I did an icon-painting workshop at the Edinburgh school of Iconography taught by Basia Mindewicz. I loved working with egg-tempera for the first time. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought it would be. So watch this space.
November ‘20
Fr Matthew Tylor (+ 9.2.2023)
Fr Matthew had produced art for as long as he could remember. “It was the first thing I knew” he would say.
He made his profession at Quarr Abbey in 1962; while he was there his abbot sent him on painting trips to Italy.
He transferred to Pluscarden in 2003; his watercolour and acrylic paintings continue to sell in our Abbey shop.
November ‘20
