Sue Oliver
- The Table of Connection,
mixed media on canvas, 50 cm x 70 cm
- The Table of Preparation,
Mixed media on canvas, 68 cm x 47 cm
- The Table of Hope,
Mixed media on canvas, 51 cm x 41 cm
A certain contradiction takes place whenever we attempt to perfect and preserve what is created. Objects of great beauty made by skilled hands seem to be in danger of decay or destruction, and if we want to keep them intact, there is a risk that they will need to be locked away to preserve them. Removed. Kept.
The beautiful table, so carefully prepared, is in danger of becoming an arena of destruction as we occupy it to sit, break bread, use cutlery, stain the cloth . . . eating and drinking as we talk, laugh, gesticulate.
In the country kitchen of my childhood we sat on sturdy chairs and ate using everyday crockery and cutlery. The dining room with the polished table and the beautiful chairs was kept for good. Company. Good clothes, the good china and silver, good manners, the best cuts of meat, the best produce, puddings and pies and tarts. Best behaviour. Under the stern eye of ancestors in frames on the wall in their best clothes. It worked. Nothing got broken or soiled or unravelled, and then it was passed down to be kept and preserved. Drawers full of white tablecloths and doilies with no purpose now but to be kept. I find a few with a stain, a tear, a bit of unravelling, and I devise a new way to preserve them.
Wisdom, in the book of Proverbs, kills and prepares the food, dilutes the wine and sets the table. Then she invites all who would come to eat and share and partake. Ultimately, we are invited to commune at the table with our Lord, sharing in the blessing of His broken body and shed blood. Brokenness and blessing comes wrapped together – given by Christ Jesus to us.
At the table of communion, there is a pouring out of oil and water and wine and we are nourished.
Sue Oliver
Interested in Sue’s work? Contact her on:
Sue Oliver: soliver9@hotmail.com