The Angelic Symphony
ArtistLeonard Woods
Year1948 (1948)
TypePlaster sculptures
SubjectAngels
LocationVancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Coordinates49°16′53″N 123°07′36″W / 49.281250°N 123.126756°W / 49.281250; -123.126756
OwnerSt. Andrew's-Wesley United Church

The Angelic Symphony is a set of four sculptures by Leonard Woods in the chancel of St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church in Vancouver.[1][2]

The sculptures were commissioned in 1947 by Elisabeth Rogers,[1][3] a founder of the Vancouver Art Gallery and Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.[4] Woods worked closely with the minister of St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church, the Reverend Oswald W. S. McCall.[5] Installation took place in July 1948.[6] The sculptures depict four angels of the Bible, each representing a different type of musician: a cymbalist, a trumpeter, a flautist, and a cellist. Woods' inspiration was drawn from Psalm 150, where God is praised with musical instruments, and the intention was to visually echo the church organ. The angels are realistic, semi-clad, and androgynous.[3] They were modelled from the sculptor's friends.[1] The modernity of the angels' instruments, in place of conventional harps, was reported by newspapers across the country.[7][8] The 300 pound sculptures were made at Langley Prairie of plaster reinforced with iron, based on reverse molds derived from clay imported from California. [1][9] They were carved in bas-relief.[3]

The original finish of the sculptures over the ivory plaster was semi-transparent shellac with a hint of amber, against a blue background.[3][5] It was thought by some of the congregation that the colours were too prominent, so they were painted grey in 1954.[6] The Anglican Diocese of New Westminster reported in 2004 that the sculptures would be restored to their original colours. The project was overseen by Barry Gilson and the restoration work undertaken by Rose Quintana, who worked with Haida artist Bill Reid on the monumental sculpture the Jade Canoe.[3] After the restoration, Woods felt that the colours now harmonized with the more recent stained glass windows.[6]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gellatly, Claire (6 October 1948). "Twentieth-Century Angels Startle Church-goers". The Vancouver Sun. p. 21. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  2. ↑ "Artist's Work Featured in Sermon". The Province. Vancouver. 23 October 1948. p. 19. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Anglican's angel sculptures to be restored". Diocese of New Westminster. 3 November 2004. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Rogers Building". Vancouver Heritage Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  5. 1 2 St. Andrew's-Wesley Church, Reflections 1933-1993. St. Andrew's-Wesley Church and The Cunningham Theological Foundation. 1993. p. 56. ISBN 1-55056-233-9.
  6. 1 2 3 Woods, Leonard (2006). Angels: The Angels of St. Andrew's-Wesley United Church. St. Andrew's Wesley United Church.
  7. ↑ "Modern Angels". The Leader-Post. Regina. 20 October 1948. p. 11. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  8. ↑ "No Harps At All For These Angels". The Kingston Whig-Standard. p. 18. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
  9. ↑ "City Sculptor Carves Church Figures". The Daily Province. Vancouver. 11 August 1948. p. 20. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023 – via Newspapers.com Free access icon.
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