Be Patterns: An illustrated Advices and queries, by Jenny Vickers and Brett Fletcher

Authors: Jenny Vickers and Brett Fletcher. Review by Bob Ward

‘Sing and rejoice, ye Children of the Day and of the Light; for the Lord is at work in this thick night of Darkness’ wrote George Fox in one of his epistles (Quaker faith & practice 20.23). The musician Jenny Vickers, in collaboration with the artist Brett Fletcher, was inspired by the same spirit to set about re-envisioning the text of that distillation of Quaker community life, Advices & queries (A&q).

Supported by an Eva Koch Scholarship, Jenny and Brett spent time together at Woodbrooke. There they evolved a set of visual images to be projected alongside a song cycle based on sample texts from A&q. Their imaginative multimedia performance, in 2019, was well received by other Friends. Among several outcomes from the performance is this handsome publication, Be Patterns: An illustrated Advices and queries, where the wisdom of our familiar ‘little red book’ shines forth in a starburst of colour. There’s no question of hiding lights under bushels. This amounts to a respectful but vivid celebration of Quaker values.

In the book, each section of the Advices is centred on a page, so as, the authors say, to be given space to breathe. Facing each one is an image implying that the text will affect people differently according to the way light passes through the prism of their individual experiences. Human figures appear integrated within the patterns of light, just where they should be. In performance the illustrations are projected onto a large screen, with a gradual build-up of the colours, in co-ordination with the flow of the music.

Tucked into the back of the book is a CD containing the song cycle. This opens with that heartening exhortation of George Fox ‘Be Patterns…’ followed by sung texts drawn from thirteen of the Advices. The result is impressive, presented with the pure voice of commitment to what the words mean. It seems appropriate that, as if exemplifying Advice 6 (‘Do you work gladly with other religious groups in the pursuit of common goals?’), the work was recorded in a village church. One hopes that performances will be given to audiences outside Quaker circles. The message is universal. Finally, the cycle reaches a climax with a rendering of Advice 42 which concludes: ‘Rejoice in God’s continuing creation. Rejoice!’

Rejoice indeed! The whole enterprise is warmly commended, and the book would be a worthwhile addition to Meeting house libraries. It is tempting to speculate what touches of excitement could be added to the forthcoming edition of Quaker faith & practice.

Copies of the book are obtainable by contacting jenny.whickers@uwclub.net. The price is £10 plus £2.50 P&P.

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