Artist and theologian now appointed for twin bursaries.
Leeds Church Institute (LCI) have appointed visual artist Phill Hopkins and community theologian Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis to create visual art and theology resources for the city of Leeds.
Phill and Charlotte have each been awarded a bursary to fund a six month collaborative pairing. The period of the bursary will enable a time for dialogue, creation and reflection leading to a presentation of visual arts and written theology that can be shared widely.
Dr Helen Reid, LCI Director
“The vision for this bursary is a shared artistic and reflective engagement with faith, spirituality and city life in Leeds. I am really excited about this collaboration which I am confident will support people of Leeds in delighting in the art as well as thinking about justice and spirituality.”
The first step for Charlotte and Phill is to agree a specific focus around perhaps theology and urban life, diversity and inclusion or climate change. They will then work together, being supportive of each other’s endeavours, and drawing on a dialogue between different perspectives.
The Centre for Religion and Public Life at the University of Leeds will offer te pairing an opportunity to engage in critical conversations about theology and art in the city.
Dr Charlotte Naylor Davis “Leeds has become my home and I am delighted to have the opportunity to explore its culture theologically. I have an interest in the ability of art to tell hidden stories, to pluck sacred moments out of chaos or violence, to focus us in our experience. These are the things I would like to explore in artistic collaboration.”
Phill Hopkins “I am personally committed to enriching the life of the city of Leeds. My art practice promotes reflection around issues such as truth, identity and belonging and is rooted in playful risk taking and exploration.”
Through this bursary scheme, LCI is seeking to support excellence and experimentation in the fields of theology and visual arts as part of our wider work and mission.