Re-imagining Paul features two newly commissioned works of art, the Bishop of Sheffield will be exploring his reflections on the apostle Paul.
Re-Imagining Paul is an exhibition of two newly commissioned artworks that invite viewers to ‘reimagine’ Paul as a person with a disability and from a faith community marginalised for their beliefs. As someone living with a hidden disability, the Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, will be talking about how his faith and the figure of Paul helped him to overcome this challenge in the cathedral at 7pm on Thursday, 25 May.
Re-Imagining Paul features two newly commissioned works of art.
Elizabeth Tooth’s ‘St Paul of the Thorns’ is an oil painting that depicts the artist’s husband who suffers from a disabling pain condition, reimagined as Paul. The work explores themes of disability, masculinity, and conceptions of strength and weakness. It draws inspiration from Paul’s famous ‘thorn in the flesh’.
The second work is a neon text piece titled ‘I am more like this’ by Bettina Furnee. It alternates between the phrases ‘like this’ and ‘I am more’. The words on display are excerpts from one of Paul’s letters and when presented in isolation they become a statement about identity, prompting two questions: ‘like what?’ and ‘more what?’.
The thought-provoking artworks draw inspiration from Paul’s famous ‘thorn in the flesh’, which has puzzled interpreters for centuries as they have tried to work out what Paul’s ‘thorn’ might be. Some suggest Paul was disabled; others identify other battles he was facing; whatever the answer, it shows that Paul was a person struggling with his identity, and that of the faith community he was supporting.
Speaking on behalf of Sheffield Cathedral, Reverend Dr Casey Strine said: ‘We are pleased and excited to host this compelling exhibition. Paul is one of the most important figures in the history of Christianity—but rarely if ever recognised as someone who lived with a hidden disability. These artworks challenge us to rethink him and his writings in new and important ways. I believe they will challenge the Church of England and all Christians to look afresh at how we welcome, support, and include people with disabilities in our worship and service.'
The Rt Revd Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield, will be speaking at the Cathedral on the 25 May. After recently revealing publicly that he is a cancer survivor who now lives with a hidden disability, Bishop Pete will reflect on how his faith and the figure of Paul have helped him to respond to his new situation. Dr Grace Emmett, director and curator of Reimagining Paul, will also speak, explaining the origins of the project. This free event is open to all, no booking necessary. Doors will open at 7:00 PM, for a 7:30 PM start.
Re-imagining Paul is based at the Sheffield Centre for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies (SCIBS), part of the University of Sheffield. It is graciously funded by the Sir Henry Stephenson Trust.
For further details, contact Rev Dr Casey Strine, Minor Canon Theologian of Sheffield Cathedral, on casey.strine@sheffield-cathedral.org.uk.