In Celebration Of Cecil Collins

"Images arise from the fountainhead of human life--the heart, the solar centre from ancient memories in the blood, and from the polarity and fire of the spirit."

Cecil Collins is an artist I have a great appreciation for. This book documents the thoughts and reflections of many of those who knew him, whether as a collector, curator, student of his unique teaching methods, or through other connections.

"The purpose of Art is to worship and praise life through wonder and magic."

I feel Collins has been somewhat overlooked, and with the recent resurgence in interest for the spiritual in British art, I would like to see greater recognition of his work in this context. That said, he was no occultist and that is more the current flavour of interest to the contemporary art world. Perhaps he falls between the gaps a little because his spirituality is even less straightforward to define.

Around six years ago there were a number of his paintings on display in the William Blake room at the Tate Britain. In the flesh they are truly Numinous, really singing from the canvas. Another Collins work I have encountered is in Chichester Cathedral, 'Icon Of Divine Light'. This altarpiece in a small chapel is a permanent feature, and a very moving presence.

He valued creativity and art education very highly, but was often dismayed by how constrained it could be within academic institutions, and was often at loggerheads with those who questioned or disregarded his outlook. He developed his own teaching methods for his always popular classes, often involving music and movement, for which hopeful participants would queue to sign up for.

"Not work, not sorrow, not knowledge, not wisdom, success or failure, not victory, not truth, but creative joy is the God of life, and until we desire that god, He will not appear."

Quotes are from 'Cecil Collins - The Vision of the Fool and other writings'.