Art in Heaven 2010

Spiritual Space

Teacher: This theme was about sacred buildings, RE learning outside the classroom and special places, but also about the space that makes a person feel spiritual in the natural world, or in heart and mind. Younger pupils’ special places and older pupils’ sense of the numinous were great starting points, as were visits to cathedrals, temples, synagogues, mosques and mandirs. Winning work was not just about fonts and altars, mihrabs and domes though – they showed what emotions and spiritual experiences connect to the sacred space, or the place in nature that transcends the ordinary! Makkah or Jerusalem, Varanasi or Iona, mountain tops or the end of the garden: exploring the spiritual space.

Students: We asked pupils, do you have a spiritual space? A place to be thoughtful or puzzled, where love or wonder seem more real? Is there a place you would love to go, where life is treasured? Some religious people have a place like this in Mosque or Chapel, Church or Temple. Other people have a spiritual space in a garden, or up a mountain, or in the city. Some say the spiritual space is inside, in your heart or mind. What makes some places specially spiritual for you, and for other people? Have you visited a place where worship seems easy? We asked puplis to make a work of art to show the spiritual space they love, or they would like to visit. Using symbols, holy writings or key ideas to show what spiritual space means for religious people, or for them.

Click the images below to see this years entries.

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