A SPECIAL lecture series, presented by experts in the fields of fine art and theology will run throughout the still small voice: British biblical art in a secular age (1850 -2014) exhibition currently at The Wilson, Cheltenham’s art gallery and museum.

Still small voice is an exciting and high profile exhibition of major 20th century British artists from an internationally held private collection. It offers visitors the opportunity to view around 30 works by 14 of the 20th century’s most impressive artists; and to consider why and in what context the work was produced; and how it communicates and relates to the human experience.

The first lecture in the series, ‘Painting the Bible: European Artists as Biblical Interpreters’ will be at 5.30pm on 28 January 2015 and will be presented by Professor Philip Esler, Portland Chair in New Testament Studies at the University of Gloucestershire. Professor Esler specialises in the interpretation of biblical texts using social-scientific ideas and perspectives to open up new lines of enquiry and to help understand the results. The talk on 28 January will consider the notion that while study of the iconography of Western paintings on biblical subjects is long established, in recent years a new interest has developed: the extent to which the creators of these works were themselves sensitive interpreters of biblical texts. In the presentation, the focus will be on two paintings which illustrate the capacity of the artist to engage with biblical texts in fruitful new ways within the social, religious, intellectual and artistic contexts in which they lived and worked.

The lecture series will complement the content of the exhibition by exploring various aspects of Christianity and its relationship to the visual arts. From discussions around representations of the Bible by artists, to exploring the lasting impact of religious icons, to looking at linguistics, religion and art, this is a lecture series designed to provide visitors with a much deeper insight to the work on display. It will also offer them a unique opportunity to understand the curation of the exhibition. The lecture series continues with: Revisiting the Icon: the Theotokos from Duccio to Hepworth, 25 February 2015, 5.30pm Dr Jennifer Sliwka; Exploring still small voice: the exhibition, 28 February 2015, 2pm, Dr Lyrica Taylor; English Work: a Native Tradition, 18 March 2015, 5.30pm, Professor Ben Quash; and Speech and Silence, Word and Image, 22 April 2015, 5.30pm, Dr Chloë Reddaway

The still small voice exhibition at The Wilson is in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire and curated Lyrica Taylor (Director, M.A in Modern Art History, Theory & Criticism, Azusa University, LA) in collaboration with Angus Pryor (Reader in Fine Art, University of Gloucestershire). In a simultaneous installation, work by Pryor in response to the Stanley Spencer painting in the exhibition, Angels of the Apocalypse, will also be on show in The Wilson’s Atrium space.

Jane Lillystone, Museum, Arts and Tourism Manager, is excited about the lectures, saying, “this is the first lecture series we have offered since our reopening in October 2013, and we are delighted to have such high-profile speakers involved in the exhibition and delivering the talks.”

Still small voice: British biblical art in a secular age (1850 -2014) will be located in the second and third floor exhibition galleries of The Wilson and entry will be free. Tickets to each lecture in the series are priced at £7 (£5 concession). Tickets are available from The Wilson in advance or on the door. During the exhibition, The Wilson is open at 9.30am – 5.15pm every day except Easter Sunday, and the exhibition will be on display until 3 May 2015.