Mass for Care of Creation; exhibition of art inspired by Laudato Si'

L: Return to Nature by Martin Jarvis. R: Listen to the Cry of the Earth by Helen Elwes

A special Mass for the Care of Creation will take place on the first anniversary of Pope Francis' death at 6pm on Tuesday, 21st April at Farm St Church, Mayfair.

A beautiful exhibition of works by artists Helen Elwes and Martin Jarvis, in response to the climate and nature crisis, is currently on at the London Jesuit Centre, next door to the church.

After the Mass there will be a talk by the artists, accompanied by slides.

Helen Elwes is a professional London-based artist. She studied at the Ruskin School of Art and the Royal Academy Schools, and has exhibited widely.

Her work often engages with themes of climate and nature, reflecting her involvement with Christian Climate Action and a Laudato Si' group, which highlights her commitment to environmental and spiritual concerns through art.

Helen's painted banner 'Mother of Mercy' is a contemporary icon of Mary kneeling in a devastated rainforest landscape protecting the Tree of Life, praying figures and endangered animals under her blue mantle. It has accompanied Helen on many climate ustice marches, vigils of Prayer for Creation and in 2021 walking 200 miles on the 'Camino to Cop' Pilgrimage to the UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Helen's work has for many years been inspired by her love of nature and her faith. Along with her painted banners, earlier works which describe her creative journey towards climate activism will be exhibited in this show.

She says: "The ecological devastation of the natural world, which I have witnessed in my lifetime, has moved me to try to express what is happening in my work. I make my work as an act of faith and of hope that humanity can change course to 'hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor' (Laudato Si' #49) and that goodness will triumph over greed."

Martin Jarvis, a professional mural and trompe l'oeil painter, also based in London, obtained his Bachelor of Fine Art (Visual Arts) from the University of Victoria, BC, Canada in 1977. For over 18 years he worked as a nurse while doing some freelance artwork. After going to Charismatic Renewal, his artistic career started to grow as he got some work working on cruise ships. Since then he has been involved in many projects painting to commission.

Martin's work is inspired by eco-spirituality. This has been a constant theme throughout his creative life and can be seen in his works that go back as far as the 80's and 90's. Reflecting on the words of Pope Francis in Laudato Si', Martin strongly believes that eco-spirituality is not an add-on but a whole different and necessary way of seeing, if we are to survive.

Like Helen, Martin joined Christian Climate Action several years ago (and later the Laudato Si' Movement) and found himself painting banners and making placards for various demonstrations and prayer vigils. His recent paintings are a response to the self-centredness, blindness and denialism that still afflicts our society, the choices we face and the hope we must live by. He says: "When we appreciate the deep interconnectedness of all life, we become sensitive to the harm we humans are doing to our common home. Through grief and then anger, we come, hopefully to action born out of love. To stand by and do nothing is not an option.'

Paintings of Prayer and Protest Inspired by Laudato Si is at the London Jesuit Centre, 114 Mount Street, London W1K 3AH from now to April 28th 2026. Admission free. The exhibition is open weekdays from 8am to 8pm; Saturdays 9am to 3pm and Sundays 10am - 4pm. Nearest tube stations are Bond Street, Green Park and Hyde Park Corner.

The events are supported by the Laudato Si Movement, Christian Climate Action and the London Jesuit Centre.

LINKS

Helen Elwes: https://artuk.org/discover/artists/elwes-helen-b-1958

Martin Jarvis Ecclesiastical Work: www.muralslondon.co.uk/Ecclesiastical/ecclesiastical.html#1

'The Crucified Planet' installed at West London parish. www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42956

See more pictures on ICN's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064591363750&ref=bookmarks#