Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Baptist Minister's beach art creates intrigue 

You’ve probably heard of the urban artist Banksy. But did you know that a Baptist Minister in Southend has become known as the local Sandbanksy?Sandbanksy pic 2


In March 2014, a Baptist Minister began creating artwork on the beach in Westcliff, sparking speculation from passers by and the local press about who was responsible for the etchings in the sand, with someone coining the name ‘Sandbanksy’. On Good Friday a labyrinth emerged on the beach. Visitors walked its pathway while members of Avenue Baptist Church handed out hot cross buns and hot drinks.

“Whilst walking a labyrinth it seems the connection between ourselves and God becomes closer for a moment, as we choose to walk to a different path from the one we're used to,” explains Sandbanksy. “I just felt that if those moments are only ever confined to church halls or cathedrals or monasteries, then too many people might never experience them.” 

The chosen location for the sand art meant that the labyrinth could easily be seen by walkers on the cliffs above. “It piqued people's interest as they walked by,” he says. “There are those who stepped down and gave the labyrinth a go, and the response was always amazing. When I talked to those who had just come out of the labyrinth, the overwhelming reaction was positive, and many talked of experiencing something spiritual having walked the path.”

This year, Sandbanksy returned. Over the Easter weekend he etched an image of the empty tomb on the beach. The local press covered the story naming him ‘Southend’s infamous Sandbanksy’.

And the Minister’s schedule for his much-talked-about sand art is beginning to fill up.

“I have a two or three more labyrinth dates planned here in Southend. One is for a local art exhibition in June. And I've been asked to provide a labyrinth for use as a memorial service for parents who have lost children. I can also do them spontaneously now and again, where only the passers by get to know about them. Of course, if people have access to a beach and are wishing to have their church experience something similar, I'm open to invites further afield!”

Sandbanksy’s creations have engaged the imagination of local people. They’ve opened up conversations about God and faith and brought a reflective, spiritual exercise much closer to people who may not ordinarily step inside a church.  

“In Southend the beach is such an integral part of local people's way of life; it just made perfect sense to use the beach in this way,” says Sandbanksy. “It seemed to perfectly tap into the 'culture of a place', whereby an encounter with God could be naturally created, in a way that was perfectly accessible to people. For me, the labyrinth on Westcliff Beach offers local people a space to reflect, and to recognise that God is always with us, at every turn of our path.”

And if you’re wondering who ‘Sandbanksy’ is, try unravelling this anagram: ‘Drink Jive Limp’.

 

You can view more examples of the artwork at www.facebook.com/sandbanksysandart
 

Baptist Times, 22/04/2015
    Post     Tweet
Helping Baptist churches embrace the nations 
2:19 is a charity that helps churches use English conversation classes and cafe initiatives to reach, welcome and share the gospel with speakers of other languages. CEO David Baldwin highlights three Baptist churches it has worked with
'Seeing the Easter story brought to life is a dramatic and moving experience for everyone' 
Have you ever experienced the Easter story through live theatre? This article by the Passion Trust highlights the power of a Passion Play - and several are taking place around the UK this Easter
Golden tears and beauty for ashes for survivors of sexual violence
Hannah Rose Thomas led trauma-healing art workshops around the world, before being invited to paint stunning portraits of the women she encountered. Her new book and exhibition - launching on International Women’s Day - help to tell their stories
Reaching people who are offline
New analysis indicates that almost half of over 65s are either unable to use the internet safely and successfully, or are not online at all. This has important implications for churches, writes Alex Drew - and here are some ideas to consider
‘Our aim is to help participants learn peace-making skills’ 
Baptist minister and mediation trainer Joanna Williams introduces a five-session course she is hosting for anyone interested in transforming conflicts in a church setting – and beyond
What might a Kingdom business look like?
The final part of the series offers two ways to reflect on Lydia, Nehemiah, Solomon and David as exemplars in business
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 05/02/2024
    Posted: 16/12/2023
    Posted: 15/12/2023
    Posted: 06/12/2023
    Posted: 27/11/2023
    Posted: 12/09/2023
    Posted: 31/08/2023
    Posted: 13/06/2023
    Posted: 01/05/2023