Saints in the Suburbs

Reverend Gillian Moses

Many of the older members of the St Aidan’s community will remember Rev David Binns, who was chaplain at the school from 1988 - 1992. As well as being a beloved and fondly remembered chaplain, David Binns was also an artist of talent and renown, who blessed the school with many examples of his artistry. You only have to visit the chapel to see his legacy in the great Triptych of women in the gospels, and in the saints of the stained glass windows.

In February this year, two more of David’s works came to St Aidan’s on a long loan, courtesy of his widow Mrs Vivienne Binns. The two paintings, The Visitation and The Flight into Egypt form part of a 9-part work called the Saints in the Suburbs. This series of paintings brings aspects of the Jesus story into colourful life amid instantly recognisable Brisbane settings, making the bible stories come alive again in our context.

The Visitation tells of Mary, pregnant with Jesus, coming to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who will soon give birth to John the Baptist. The setting is utterly familiar: a subtropical garden in front of an old Queenslander house. Mary and Elizabeth celebrate each other’s good news just as many Brisbane women must have over the years.

The Flight into Egypt places the Holy Family of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus at a Queensland Rail station, in front of a very familiar train. They are surrounded by commuters, including a schoolboy from a nearby boys’ school, as they wonder how they will get to safety. The scene is so recognisable that it triggers the accompanying smells and sounds in the viewer’s memory.

While the paintings are beautiful, and while they retell old stories in new ways, they also bring joy. It is impossible to view them and not smile. That in itself is a clear communication of the Good News that Jesus brings, even now.

The Visitation and The Flight into Egypt are currently hanging in the Wellbeing House, so come and visit these two beautiful paintings. St Aidan’s acknowledges the generosity of Mrs Vivienne Binns in lending us these works.