God is in the detail

MICHELANGELO was famously commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Last year, acclaimed Scottish artist Peter Howson completed his depiction of Saint John Ogilvie for the Archdiocese of Glasgow.

Church patronage of the arts has a long tradition. And now Fairmilehead Parish Church has commissioned its own masterpiece to provide a focal point in its entrance hall.

The eight-and-a-half feet by five feet painting, picured above, by Adrian Wiszniewski, one of the "new" Glasgow Boys group, will be unveiled at a special ceremony at the church on Sunday. Entitled "Life in all its fullness", the picture includes a family picnicking, some dancers and a young woman on a bike.

It is based on the words of Jesus from John's gospel: "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Minister the Rev John Munro said: "It reflects some of the abundant life to be found on a daily basis in Fairmilehead.

"Each week, over 5000 people come and go in our church centre, where a wide range of activities takes place involving both children and adults."

He said he hoped the artwork would set the seal on the premises being a church centre and not simply a community centre.

The painting cost thousands of pounds, but Mr Munro said the artist had asked for the exact price of the work to be kept confidential.

The cash was gifted by members of the congregation interested in the arts.

Mr Wiszniewski, born in Glasgow in 1958, studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture and Glasgow School of Art. His work hangs in the Tate in London, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and galleries across the world.

Mr Munro defended spending money on the painting.

He said: "People will complain the Kirk, which is always asking for money, is spending on things which are not necessary. People tend to think what is needed is, in order, something to eat, something to drink, a car and expensive holidays.

"What we are trying to do is get the message across and I think it's worth spending a few pounds to do that. You have to feed the soul as well as the body."