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The Bracknell Community Gallery of Greeters & Inspirers

ALONG THE RAILINGS OUTSIDE ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH BY PRINCESS SQUARE IN BRACKNELL BERKSHIRE RG12 1HA

BRIEF GUIDE TO THE PORTRAITS & ARTISTS in First Wave 2015

'FIRST WAVE' PAINTINGS GATHERED IN ON SATURDAY 28 MARCH 2015 AND THE WEEKS FOLLOWING
	Oscar Romero & Pope Francis Sally Gunnell Giles Duley, US Army Medevac Team, Lucy Anning Maria Montessori & Nelson Mandela Tim Burton Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai Nelson Mandela Ron McAllister Ann Maguire Medecins Sans Frontieres Daniel Barenboim A Fox Swiss Army Inspirer Bracknell Life House Team Bracknell Food Bank Fr Danny McEvoy Field Marshal "Monty" God's Family Richard Tauber Fairtrade & Friends Jesus Christ Henri Dunant Vincent Van Gogh Craig Strugnell Harry Potter Emma Watson Mother Teresa Dan Mohler Franz Liszt Joy Lofthouse & Margot 'Chile' Duhalde Grandad David Hogan	Certificate provided for all who took part

	OSCAR ROMERO & POPE FRANCIS Chosen & painted by Hugh Gibbons	Archbishop Oscar Romero was the outspoken champion of human rights in El Salvador assassinated during Mass in 1980 - hence the blood stains. Much loved as a 'voice of the voiceless' he has become a worldwide symbol of hope, compassion and and humility. He's lent Pope Francis one of his three pairs of socks - and given him some of the tools he had when he trained as a carpenter, plus a question mark that might come in handy in Vatican matters... Both are speaking Spanish. Oscar's saying Forward! Francis is saying Hi! Romero was beatified in May 2015 - but in this picture he's what he might have wished for himself: plain Ol' Oscar.
	SALLY GUNNELL Athlete, TV presenter and motivator Chosen by the Griffiths family, painted by Jana Griffiths (first time ever)	Sally was inspired to high achievement after being told that she was the wrong shape, height, colour and personality ever to win a gold medal. Sally is seen with fellow Olympic Champion Haile Gebrselassie while running in Ethiopia, 2011. This is Jana during the early stages of painting - the kitchen floor seems to have become her studio.
	THE UN-SELFIES ON TOUR Photographer Giles Duley; US Army Medevac team Phil Kaos, Cole Reece and Charlie 'Mo' Williams; trauma nurse Lucy Anning of Emergency UK; and the often invisible victims of conflict at the top Chosen and painted by Hugh Gibbons.	Giles was on a mission to report on the plight of people of Helmand in Afghanistan in February 2013. He trod on an IED, and lost three limbs. Cole, Charlie and Phil are shown lifting Giles on to a stretcher about 15 minutes later. They kept him alive in a frantic helicopter flight - to wave with that good arm today. The photograph was taken by David Bowering, another tough photographic reporter who was recording the work of the Medevac team that day. You can find his gripping account of those events here. Giles has returned to work as a photographic reporter and visual voice for the voiceless among many of the world's most disadvantaged people. Typically, he would like to be remembered as a photographer - hence in The Un-Selfies his long trousers almost cover his legs. Giles most recent assignment has been along the refugees fleeing the violence in Syria. Lucy works for the humanitarian agency Emergency UK. She and Giles met first in Uganda, and then in a hospital in Kabul where she was helping with the many Afghan people who too had lost limbs The troupe is called The UN-SELFIES because Giles' spirit in the use of a camera is about as far away from taking a selfie as it's possible to get. Lucy and Giles model for Hugh before a talk by Giles in Bath in early 2015.
	MARIA MONTESSORI, Educationalist NELSON MANDELA, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Chosen and painted by Year 6 in Meadowbrook Montessori School at Warfield, steered by art teacher Viv Baines.	Nelson Mandela is one of the world's most famous people - notably as an example of reconciler for South Africa after long years in prison. He became the President, and oversaw the development of the 'Rainbow' nation. He is another winner of the Nobel Peace Prize shown on the Gallery. Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor and educationalist whose ideas find their home in many schools round the world.
	TIM BURTON TRIBUTE Chosen and painted by pupil Charlotte Evans of Garth Hill College, steered by art teacher Jo Saunders	Director, artist, imaginer - Tim Burton is famous for his films which often offer a Gothic approach. You've seen his work in the Batman series, Edward Scissorhands, Cinderella, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Planet of the Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and other which feed on fantasy. Should you meet Tim at a film premiere or special occasion, you'll see he's wearing a pair of pin-striped socks as a lucky charm. If he ever loses them, he might be able to borrow from Oscar Romero's small collection!
	MALALA YOUSAFZAI Nobel Peace Prize Winner NELSON MANDELA Nobel Peace Prize Winner MAHATMA GANDHI inspirer of freedom and civil rights movements Chosen and painted by pupils Kodie Brooks, Hannah Crossley and Adam Azib of Garth Hill College, steered by art teacher Jo Saunders.	Malala is the 2014 joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize - for her example in championing the right to education. A powerful voice in their favour, she survived an attempt to assassinate her, and was brought to the UK for treatment and education. Her birthday is on 12 July - the UN's Malala Day. It's likely that the Gallery will carry a special tribute and present that day. Mahatma Gandhi was the famous leader of the movement for an independent India, which came about in 1948. He was a big advocate of peaceful means of protest. Ironically, in 1948 he was assassinated - but his spirit lives on in many forms today.
	MALALA YOUSAFZAI Nobel Peace Prize winner Chosen and painted by Year 7 pupils of Ranelagh School, arranged by head of art Anne Edmunds	They've chosen to pick out her famous saying: "One child/teacher/book/pen can change the world". This Malala on the gallery in the hall of St Margaret Clitherow Primary in Hanworth - chosen by Year 6 in early 2013. She's wearing the uniform of Edgbaston High School in Birmingham, where she's a student. The laurels are the school's symbol - appropriate for a Nobel Laureate.
	NELSON MANDELA Nobel Peace Prize Winner Chosen and painted by pupils of Ranelagh School arranged by head of art Anne Edmunds	Nelson here is pictured by Ranelagh with the flag of South Africa, a dove, and prison walls. And the Rugby World Cup! His words are: "It always seems impossible until it's done".
	RON McALLISTER Chief Executive of South Hill Park Arts Centre, Bracknell Chosen & painted by Hugh Gibbons	Ron has made a vast and inspiring contribution to local arts, as director, producer and composer. This is now Ron's Facebook page!
	ANN MAGUIRE Chosen and painted by Maura Holt (first-time painter)	Much loved as an inspiring example of compassion and concern, by pupils, staff, family and and friends, on 28 April 2014, 61-year-old teacher Ann Maguire was stabbed to death by a pupil while teaching a Spanish lesson at Corpus Christi College in Leeds. Maura felt many affinities with Ann, and chose her as the subject with which to have her first go at painting. The result is pretty impressive, and perfect for the Gallery.
	MEDICINS SANS FRONTIERES UK STAFF IN SOLIDARITY WITH EBOLA SURVIVORS IN WEST AFRICA Chosen and palm-painted by staff in the UK office of MSF on 11 March 2015 - arranged by Rosalyn Smith, Major Gifts Administrator Ebola survivors' wall in Liberia which inspired one for our Gallery	MSF is the formidably compassionate NGO that delivers emergency medical aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters - the recent Ebola outbreak being an example. MSF is another winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.
	DANIEL BARENBOIM painted by pupils at Sidcot School in Somerset	“We chose to paint Daniel Barenboim because he helps to bring about peace via music, by uniting youths from Israel and Palestine in an orchestra. This shows the healing power of music. We made the image using finger painting and brush strokes using acrylic paint.” That's is what Clara Mann, Emma Kilptarick, Anoushka Long and Phoebe Williams had to say about their striking choice. Daniel Barenboim is an Argentian-born pianist and conductor, acclaimed worldwide for his musicality and humanity. The West-Eastern Divan orchestra is based in Seville. It was founded by Daniel and Edward Said in 1999, and includes musicians from across the Middle East. It's named after a collection of poems by Goethe. The orchestra has played at the BBC Proms. Sidcot is a Quaker school in Somerset, founded in 1697! They already have links with this area, because the pupils in the Junior School provided the bottled breathing space released at Thanksgiving Field in Winkfield in June 2014.
	A FOX Chosen and painted by a patient at West London Mental Health Trust	Based on a painting by artist Franz Marc, this subject was chosen and painted by a patient under the guidance of Simon Wheeler, Art Tutor. The fox has become an important part of urban fauna, and was thought deserving of recognition. The patient painter is unknown. A place on the Gallery may help in some way to add to their life - led by such dedicated tutors as Simon and the team in Crowthorne.
	SWISS ARMY INSPIRER Painted for fun by Hugh Gibbons	This uses some of the expressions with the spirit of encouragement that helps inspire pupils and other people. Well Done! Go For It! Sounds Good Thanks! Why Not? Yes! You Can! This item is available for use by anyone, anywhere, and anytime. Luckily everyone has one tucked away somewhere in their personality!
	THE BRACKNELL LIFE HOUSE TEAM Chosen and painted by the Bernard family (including first-time artists)	Elaine, Donna and Dominica are seen in this painting. Bracknell Life House offers a practical alternative to abortion and prepares tenants for independent living with their children in the future. The house provides for seven mothers and babies for between six months and two years. Sources of support include personal donations, the Catholic churches in the pastoral area, and the Lottery Fund – with gifts in kind of clothes and equipment for mothers and babies.
	BRACKNELL FOOD BANK Painted by Lee Simmonds of the Kerith Community Church in Bracknell Here for a few weeks only in 2015 - a special portrait later overpainted as Joy in the Air (below)	Bracknell Foodbank is run by the Kerith Church in partnership with The Trussell Trust, as part of the national network of Foodbanks. The Foodbank provides nutritionally balanced emergency food for people in need in the Bracknell Forest area who are referred by a wide range of local agencies and organisations. Each food pack contains enough food for three days and the food is donated by local people, mainly through local churches and businesses. There are other local Food Banks in Ascot and Crowthorne. At the Kerith church in Bracknell, the team of great-hearted volunteers is led by former primary school teacher Pat Hallett, who is shown at the top of Lee's painting.
	FATHER DANNY McEVOY Chosen by St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, painted by Eva Hancock Yr3, steered by art teacher Sharyn Prince	Fr Danny is parish priest of Bracknell Catholic Parish, and Pastoral Area Co-ordinator covering Bracknell, Ascot, Crowthorne, Sandhurst and Wokingham. Eva says that he is an example of showing how God loves us. Not least among Fr D's inspiring leadership since his arrival in the parish in autumn 2013 has been his encouragement of the Spirit of Romero Gallery in the hall and the Community Gallery outside. On the Romero Gallery he's shown sitting down - one of the many welcome innovations he's brought to the congregation parish. Can you tell which are paintings and which a photo of Danny?
	"MONTY" Field Marshall Lord Montgomery of Alamein Chosen by - ahaa! - the Art Group at Montgomery Court in Bracknell, and painted by member Peter Reid.	Bernard Montgomery was a WW2 soldier with a remarkable range of leadership skills - not least in a determination to avoid the slaughter of troops he had experienced in the First World War. Given command of the Eighth Army - 'The Desert Rats' as seen in the picture - he won a famous victory at the railway halt of Alamein, and later commanded the Allied ground forces in the liberation of Europe. He may also have been the originator of the expression The Full Monty for his comprehensive breakfasts... Monty was well-known for wearing two badges on his beret of hat - the first being the general officers', and the other of the Royal Tank Regiment. The desert rat is the gerboa. If you have a gerbil in the house, bring it along to give its cousin a wave.
	GOD'S FAMILY Chosen and painted by Theresa & Ian McDougall (first-time painters)	Despite problems with her vision, Theresa was another of those good sports who had never painted before but wanted to have a go at something for the Gallery. Hence this ensemble of seven people, one dove, flowers and assorted butterflies. Ian provided geographical support for the globe (though it should be noted that the Orkney & Shetland Isles are hard to spot).
	RICHARD TAUBER Chosen and painted by Peter Reid of Montgomery Court Art Group	Richard Tauber 1891-1948 was an internationally popular tenor singer in the 1920s and '30s. During WW2 he lived in Britain, where he composed many songs - including the famous 'My Heart & I". It's said that after his death his second wife - who herself is buried in All Saints Church in Sunningdale - had plans to develop South Hill Park into a memorial opera house. Peter's painting features that must-have monocle! Richard is commemorated every other year by a prestigious singing prize from the Richard Tauber Fund, organised by the Anglo-Austrian Music Society. The prize is open to singers of any country resident in the United Kingdom or Austria - but over 21 and not older than 30 years. Entries for 2015 have now closed, and details of the winner will be posted here. And who knows but a recital on the railings! This society is part of the Anglo-Austrian Society, and is dedicated to promote the public awareness of Austrian composers and musicians in this country. The Society was founded in London in 1942 by a small group of Austrian refugees. They gave concerts throughout the 2nd World War. In 1946 the administration merged with that of the Anglo-Austrian Society. For more information, click here.
	FAIRTRADE LOGO & FRIENDS Chosen & painted by Hugh Gibbons in his social justice role Cardinal Vincent Nichols has sent a warm-hearted message in support of the Gallery Click here to view it.	THE FAIRTRADE FOUNDATION in the UK has been a very inspiring movement for the past 20 years or so, since it was created by CAFOD, Oxfam and others. Like 4000 other churches, Bracknell Catholic Parish has signed up to meet the three commitments of serving Fairtrade cuppas at all appropriate parish meetings, extending the use of other products, and promoting Fairtrade through the year and especially during Fairtrade Fortnight - in late February and early March. The smaller figures represent something of the diversity of supporters and producers. At top left is the Traidcraft logo. To the right of the 2 is a figure in red who might well be Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic church in England & Wales. While the bottom right figure could well be Pope Francis, known to be a keen aficionado in Fairtrade and its contribution to social justice.
	JESUS Chosen and painted by Simon Wood for his family
	HENRI DUNANT Chosen by Thanksgiving Field & Tally Ho Farm in Winkfield, painted by Hugh Gibbons	Henri was a young Swiss businessman who witnessed the Battle of Solfarino in 1859. Appalled by the lack of medical treatment for casualties, he organised the people of the town to help - regardless of who they were caring for. This action led to the foundation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, with its millions of volunteers today. Each 8 May is World Red Cross Day - aptly, on Henri's birthday. On 28 June, Solferino stages a torchlight procession, alluded to at the bottom of the picture.The IFRC is twice-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Tally Ho Farm in Crouch Lane in Winkfield is the inspiring home of Thanksgiving Field - the after-war memorial place created on the site of the 1943 crashlanding of an American Air Force B17 returning from the notorious Schweinfurt Raid (shown below days after opening in 2014). Henri is the spiritual patron of this happy place, which typifies his view of "Civilisation: helping each other; people to people, nation to nation". Tally Ho is a leading equine supplies centre, with a high reputation in the many polo clubs in the UK.
	VINCENT VAN GOGH Chosen and painted by pupils at Ranelagh School, steered by head of art Anne Edmunds	Van Gogh 1853-90 was a Dutch artist whose work had a major influence on 20th Century art. He drew as a child, but not not start painting till his 20s. His distinctive output was vast, and his work is rightly popular and seen in many homes today.
	CRAIG STRUGNELL Chair of the Retail Forum for the Bracknell Town Centre Regeneration Project chosen and painted by Nicky Prince of Bentalls whose mum worked on the fragrance counter when Bentalls opened in 1973 (see right)	Craig is store director for Bentalls in Bracknell, and also has the role of steering the Retail Forum in the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership - which will see a remarkable transformation of the town centre in 2017. Craig is seen below somewhere in the 2012 OSCAs evening - the Outstanding Service to Customers Awards. Note that even back then some was practising their waves of the hand. Nicky says "When Craig asked me to paint something for the gallery, I thought of it more of a representation for Bracknell really, Bentalls being one of the most iconic shopping places in Bracknell over the last 40 years. Looking into the future where Fenwick will replace Bentalls, but will not be forgotten, in a lovely new town. We have all been waiting patiently for the regeneration and now it’s finally happening before our eyes, this is a very exciting time for Bracknell as a whole. I painted Mr Strugnell central to the two stores as I think he is a great representation and inspirer towards Bracknell retail at this point of time, as the Director of Bentalls and also chairman of the Retail Forum in the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership. Myself, I have two gorgeous boys Jake 16 and Josh 13 whom I adore. I’m a management secretary at Bentalls and I paint commissions for friends in my spare time. I love to draw, sculpt and paint, experimenting with different kinds of mediums along the way. I have always been creative, it’s in my bones, and have been taught by some of the great teachers of Bracknell (and now Wokingham) College over the years. I have lived in Bracknell all my life and my mother worked in Bentalls on the fragrance counter when It first opened in 1973, I was 2 years old. Forty odd years later I have the privilege of working here too and totally love my job and the people I work with.
	HARRY POTTER Chosen and painted by pupils at Easthampstead Park Community School	Harry Potter has been a wizard read for people of all ages. By JK Rowling, the books are estimated to have sold around 500 million, and films have expanded the audience even more. Bracknell has a close connection with the films - Picket Post Close in Winkfield Row was used as Privet Drive outdoors in the first film. Swinley Forest featured in Deathly Hollows. Head teacher of EPSC, Liz Cook, says: Harry Potter was chosen by the students as the series is filmed in Bracknell. Students identify with Harry as he comes from a disadvantaged background with difficult family circumstances. He finds value in friendships and becomes a great leader despite setbacks and prejudice from some. He is a victim of misrepresentation but rises above this to inspire others to work with him to save the wizarding community. The symbol for Gryffindor is similar to the schools own crest, we have lions in common as sign of strength and resilience. The books above his portrait point to the values Harry possesses.
	DAVID HOGAN Chosen and painted by Simon Wood	David Hogan is founder of Freedom Ministries, a US-based religious organisation that represents missionary work to the indigenous people of Latin America, including Mexico and Guatemala.
	EMMA WATSON chosen and painted by pupils at Sidcot School in Somerset	“We chose Emma Watson because she is an important role-model for everyone to look up to. Her speaking out about feminism and woman and girls in society has inspired others throughout the Globe. We made our picture with finger painting, paintbrushes and acrylic paints.” That's what lead painters Clara Mann, Emma Kilpatrick, Anoushka Long, and Phoebe Williams had to say about their choice. In 2014, Emma was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, and helped launched the UN Women campaign HeForShe, which calls for men to advocate gender equality. The team of painters are at Sidcot, a Quaker school in Somerset, founded in 1697! They already have links with this area, because the pupils in the Junior School provided the bottled breathing space released at Thanksgiving Field in Winkfield in June 2014.
	MOTHER TERESA Chosen and painted by Anne & Kevin D'Souza	Blessed Teresa of Calcutta 1910-97 was a Roman Catholic religious sister and missionary who lived most of her life in India. She was born in today's Macedonia, with her family being of Albanian descent originating in Kosovo. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation, which consists of over 4,500 sisters and is active in 133 countries. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003.
	DAN MOHLER Chosen and painted by Simon Wood	According to Neck Ministries, "In 1995 Dan had a transforming encounter with God while at work. Since that time he has gone on to serve as an associate pastor, and now is traveling as an itinerant minister, sharing the transforming power of the gospel in a way that leaves others changed forever."
	FRANZ LISZT by John Weeks	Liszt gained renown in Europe during the early nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age, and in the 1840s he was considered to be the greatest pianist of all time. Liszt was also a well-known and influential composer, piano teacher and conductor. John Weeks is a Bracknell resident, painter and dab hand at the keyboard of an organ and other instruments.

	GRANDAD by the Gosling Family Anabel, Alice, Paula & Aaron	They've certainly caught his likeness - especially that grin and tan. This is one of the few pictures on the Gallery about someone up close and personal. Note the way they've caught the warmth and welcome. The little bus? It's an allusion to Grandad's collection of them - and the heart is a natural additon.
	JOY LOFTHOUSE (AND MARGOT 'CHILE' DUHALDE SOTOMAYOR) chosen by Fly2Help painted by Hugh Gibbons	Joy Lofthouse is one of the 1000+ civilian pilots of the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII. Their job was to ferry over 400,000 aircraft of all sorts to hundreds of different airfields - without radio, radar, navigation aids (other than a map and the ground) - and aerobatics! Their HQ was White Waltham airfield, about 5 miles northwest of Bracknell. They flew in often difficult weather conditions. At White Waltham, if you could see the spire of the little church at Shottesbrook, then visibility was OK (for take-off at least). The stories of the pilots and the whole ATA operation is a remarkable one - not least for the way in which women pilots (often young ones like Joy) were allowed to play a hands-on role - and were rewarded with the same pay as men! The painting also has an allusion to the home town of Margot "Chile" Duhalde, who volunteered from the south of her neutral country to serve. She knew little English, so was put into the engineering to learn it - with the result that her vocabulary gained some unexpected expressions, as when you hit your thumb with a spanner. On return too Chile, Margot became an inspiration for many in aviation - not least, the first women pilots in the Chilean Air Force. Joy returned to the cockpit of a Spitfire in May 2015, when to mark 70 years since the end of WWII in Europe she took the controls of a 2-seater based with Boultbee at Goodwood. Joy is a patron of the leading aviation charity Fly2Help, who chose her as an Inspirer. Fly2Help is quite inspiring itself. Its Air Smiles Days promote the emotional wellbeing of people living with life trauma by sharing the magic of being airborne, creating and capturing lasting memories and offering respite and escapism.

ALONG THE RAILINGS OUTSIDE ST JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH BY PRINCESS SQUARE IN BRACKNELL BERKSHIRE RG12 1HA