If you can get to Kelvingrove Art Gallery And Museum, St Mary’s Cathedral, Glasgow offers a unique opportunity this Advent. Dr Deborah Lewer, Senior Lecturer in History of Art at the University of Glasgow, has recorded a self-guided audio tour exploring seasonal themes of light and dark. You can walk around the gallery at your own pace and go on this ‘retreat’ whenever it’s convenient for you.
About the Tour
At the darkening time of the year, as the clocks go back and nights lengthen, join Dr Deborah Lewer to explore the play of light and shade in art and faith. Artists know that light and darkness – what the Italians call ‘chiaroscuro’ – bring art to life. Biblical and spiritual tradition is rich in images of light and dark. In deep paradoxes of ‘luminous darkness’, artists, psalmists, poets, prophets, and contemplatives have found beauty, hope, meaning – and humour too – beyond the ‘light of the world’. For the Advent season, this visit will be an opportunity to engage with a vivid range of art in the rich collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and to think in new ways about shadows and light in a life of faith and in times of darkness.
Debbie is Senior Lecturer in History of Art at the University of Glasgow and a congregation member at St Mary’s. She is a regular speaker in churches, theological colleges and at festivals and retreats on the rich relationship between art and faith.
Audio Guide
Download an annotated Floor Plan
In the main hall of the Ground Floor
On the landing of the northeast stair, heading up from the Ground Floor
Link to image on Art UK website.
Along the northeast balcony of the First Floor
Link to image on Art UK website.
In the Dutch Art gallery
Link to image on Art UK website.
In the Scottish Colourists gallery
Link to image on Art UK website.
At the south end of the French Art gallery
Link to image of triptych’s left wing on Art UK website.
Link to image of triptych’s centre panel on Art UK website.
Link to image of triptych’s right wing on Art UK website.
You can also download and listen to the entire audio guide on Bandcamp.
Sound effects obtained from www.zapsplat.com