Roberta Pyx Sutherland | More Blessed Than We Know

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Roberta Pyx Sutherland, “World of Tea,” 2024

oil with found material on canvas, 20x20 in. (courtesy of the Artist)

Opening reception is May 24, 6:00-9:00, Artist Talk at 7:00.

Roberta Pyx Sutherland returns to the Chapel Gallery with a new series of artworks titled ​More Blessed Than We Know. ​

An inventive and prolific artist, Sutherland uses a variety of media and methods to create these atmospheric works. The mixed-media paintings centre on the image of a bowl or vessel which symbolizes nourishment on many levels. It may be tea with a friend, holy water in a baptismal font or sacred wine in ceremony. “Historically, we find the cup as part of mystical language, an ancient and timeless symbol,” she says.

The artist cites the Bible’s 23rd psalm as a good example of blessings received by cups. “My cup runneth over, surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” Sutherland believes that rituals allow us to slow down and contemplate deeper meanings and connections. She points out that the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is offered between prayers in order to quiet the mind and focus our attention on the blessings to be received.

Roberta Pyx Sutherland has a BFA (honours) from the University of Victoria. Since graduation, her inquisitive mind and abundant talents have led her to explore the cultural practices of many countries. She has trained in Shambhala art instruction, studied Ikebana, explored printmaking in the UK, worked for Oxfam in East Africa, studied calligraphy in Japan and mandala painting in Nepal. Mentors and teachers include Jack Shadbolt, Pat Martin Bates and Jack Wise.

All these influences show up in her mysterious images and riddle-like titles. With a twinkle in her eye and and a Koan on her mind, Sutherland anoints her communications with a gentle reminder: “You are not a drop in the ocean; you are an ocean in a drop.” (Rumi, 13th century poet). “I stress the interconnectedness of all life in my artwork and writings,” she says.

Sutherland describes painting as her spiritual compass, used to approach the unknown and ponder questions she cannot answer. Her enigmatic titles include: I Ching Fiftieth Hexagram “Cosmic Bowling with Cornelia”. After a bit of research, the coded meaning becomes clearer - as each painting holds a story to discover. This painting talks about the tea bowl series launched by the artist during Covid to connect with friends and clients. “The tea bowls symbolize our relationship to big ideas through the small and ordinary,” she says.

In Homage to Pat Martin Bates, we view a tea bowl, framed by folded paper showing geometric patterns found in Islamic art. Sutherland was inspired by her mentor and teacher Pat Martin Bates. They exhibited together in a two-person show at the Fran Willis Gallery.

As a world traveler and student of humanity, Sutherland sees the common threads that unite various religions around the world. For example, the fiftieth hexagram of the I Ching, is called the Great Bowl (Sacred Vessel). In Chinese civilizations, food was served to worthy guests in these ancient ceremonial vessels. It was believed that they provided spiritual nourishment as well as physical sustenance. “The teaching of the Great Bowl is profound,” says Sutherland, “as it recognizes nourishing others brings good fortune and fosters the spirit of life.” She adds that the cultural teachings of Indigenous people also value sharing. That we are, indeed, more blessed than we know, comes to light as she points out cross-cultural similarities. For this artist, there are many ways of connecting with the divine forces that activate all life.