St Francis in garden
Sculpture of St Francis of Assisi
Sculptor - Christine Crimmins, Tom Bass Studio, Sydney
For some time we at ErinEarth have dreamt of owning a sculpture of St Francis that children in particular are able to relate to. Christine, who is an ex-student from the school adjacent to the ErinEarth site, has produced a beautiful maquette (small model) of a young Saint Francis in an Australian context.
Powerful images touch the soul and bring about change. As we have talked with children who visit the site about the dream of owning such a sculpture we have been amazed at the children's response, especially to the interactive nature of the possible sculpture.
Christine Crimmins, the sculptor describes her work as follows:
"The sculpture tells the story of the time Francis of Assisi rang the village bell at midnight, waking everyone up to see the beauty of the full moon.
This Australian version of the story shows a young Francis in a modern 'hoodie', a more contemporary version of the Franciscan cowl, sitting at the foot of a bell tower, reaching up to pull the bell rope. He is calling us to look at the moon, to notice and wonder at the beauty of nature around us.
Children can climb on his lap, share his wonder at the beauty of the bush around them and pull the rope to sound the bell. They invite others to come and share and give thanks for that beauty. The bell is the very bell that the Presentation Sisters, who administer the site, used as a bell to call the sisters to prayer each morning for over 100 years.
The sculpture is rich in symbolism both Christian and Aboriginal. The bell rope with three knots symbolises the three vows taken by those in the Franciscan Order to which St Francis belonged. The bell rope passes through Francis' hand. There is a crucifix in his other hand. A half-moon appears above the tower. Francis is fascinated by the moon and his face is raised to receive knowledge.
The lizard is the goanna featured in the Wiradjuri story of the formation of the Murrumbidgee River. The indigenous people have a special relationship with the land. They know the plants and the animals intimately and can teach non indigenous people about respect for this land.
ErinEarth teaches practical skills for a more sustainable lifestyle. It is a gathering place for reflecting on a spirituality closely linked with the earth. ErinEarth is a fun place for children to learn about caring for the earth. Children, exploring the garden paths, the wetlands and dam, and the vegetable gardens will come across Francis with his kelpie by his side. They will seek out the other animals in the sculpture, the lizard, mouse, frog, kookaburra and tortoise.
The sculpture tells a story ErinEarth visitors, especially children, can identify with. ErinEarth's and the children's task is to embody the spirit of St Francis and be a ‘bell ringer' for the planet."
You could help us afford such a sculpture by:
- Being prepared to be on a committee that works to raise finance through grants and donations
- Making a donation
- Making suggestions for ways we can find grants.