Artists statement
FRIENDS OF THE MISSION
The Mission has always relied heavily on the patronage of its volunteers and sponsors who are kind enough to donate much-needed funds, time and expertise. In its first year, the Mission had only 99 pounds to its name, 90 pounds of which was taken up by the chaplain’s salary! Today the Mission is overseen by a Board of Directors and is run by a dedicated team of employees and volunteers. Even though developments such as containerisation in the shipping industry have meant that the number of seafarers on each vessel and their time spent in port has been drastically reduced, the needs of seafarers are just as pressing today as they were when the Mission first began.
This window, titled ‘Jesus in the House of Martha and Mary’, was installed in 1947 in memory of Karen Brady, a volunteer and friend of the Mission, dedicated to providing for the needs of seafarers. This window is symbolic of the continuation of such needs in modern times.
Historical information
ontextual or historic information
Reflections of the Sea was an exhibition of 10 framed montage of photographs from the mission's archive collection showcasing 10 stained glass windows from the St Peter chapel.
This exhibition curated by Georgia Melville and Catherine McLay, and funded by PROV and Creative Victoria, was displayed in the World Trade Centre Wharf Gallery in June July 2013 and toured to Queenscliff Maritime Museum.
The photographs of the windows were taken by scientific photographer Justine M. Philip.
This frame is showcasing the memorial window to member of the Guild, Karen Brady, who died during a black out hit by a car while she was on her way back home from the Mission, and two photographs of social activities organised for seafarers.
Physical description
Framed and mounted on black cardboard of black and white and colour reproductions from the MTSV collection for the exhibition Reflections of the Sea with brief label signage
Inscriptions & markings
on label:
ABOVE: Ladies handing out light refreshments to seafarers during an outang at the Melbourne Zoo in 1907
BELOW: A full house awaiting New Years Eve dinner followed by entertainment in 1927
Mounting & framing
Wood frame, black mount.
Keywords
References
- Shining light on the mission’s past Article about the exhibition in the Docklands News 88, July 2013