Nick - study for apostle Thomas



by John O'Driscoll

This painting of Nick and the portrait of Roscoe were both practice runs for figures in the Newtown Last Supper, a large mural (the main panel is 6 x 2.4m) at Newtown Mission, a free cafe - not 'soup kitchen', they don't serve a lot of soup.

It's a kind of triptych. At the centre is the last supper, freely adapted from Leonardo's composition,  using volunteers and regulars to play the parts(I nabbed the choice role of Judas) and set in an extension of the airy hall it's in, rather than the low-ceilinged brutalist messhall of the original. It's at 2/3 scale. Flanking it are a mural showing volunteers at work, and another of the "people's corner", people gathered outside for a chat and a cup of tea and maybe a smoke, with Pastor Brian greeting and joking and ushering people in. There's close to 200 figures, maybe 50-75 recognisable portraits

Newtown Mission is centred around a beautiful old school hall built by the Wesleyans, and hidden away opposite the Dendy theatre, next to Newtown Uniting Church at 280A King St. Enter through the arched walkway between the church and the florist. When it's open there is a sandwich board out with Jesus pointing out food- a detail from the mural

 It's open for lunch Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 1-3pm and for dinner on Thursday at about 7pm - after a church service next door that begins at 6.30pm

They prepare and serve food supplied by Oz Harvest, so drop in for a feed or a cuppa, and have a look




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