London school marks Lent with special art project

The season of Lent is being marked in a very special way by one west London school this year.

Pupils from several departments at St Thomas More Language College in Chelsea have worked together to produce a set of Stations of the Cross which are being placed in different locations throughout the building.

School chaplain Derek Hyett explained that together with art teacher Mr Russell Carter, the group looked at different styles and ways of depicting the stations in different traditions and cultures, before they began painting. They also identified 14 different places in the building where the stations will be placed.

Mr Hyett said: "We are turning the whole school into a liturgical space. We pray at assemblies, and at home and in church but this is different.

Keirian Marchesan, 13, from Year 8 explained that he had chosen the Second Station because it has so much movement and shows Jesus being hit by the Roman guard.

Hubert Walsh from Year 9 decided to work on a very still and reflective image of Jesus lying in the tomb.

Stefanie Huang, from Year 11, chose the Fourth Station because she wanted to also paint the image of Mary.

Abraham Sumers-Cocks chose the Eighth Station, which is full of movement. He said: "I chose Jesus meeting the women of Jerusalem because it shows how He still wanted to talk with people even though he was going to his death. I really like working on canvas."

Allessandra Teixeira and Maria O'Mahoney from years 12 and 8 worked together on an image showing the view Jesus had when he saw the crosses for the first time.

Mr Hyett said: "We are always looking at ways in which we can integrate RE into the curriculum. Bringing art and RE together like this has really captured the student's imagination."

For readers in London ­ there will be a feature on this project in this month's Westminster Record.