'Adventures in Joy: An Exhibition by Max Blake'

for 2 hours
Wickford: St Andrew
London Road Wickford, ss12 0an, United Kingdom

2 May – 25 July 2025
St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN

View the exhibition and hear Max speak about his work at ‘Unveiled’, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew’s Wickford, Friday 2 May, 7.00 pm.

St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm.

https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html

“Adventures in Joy” presents the most recent work produced by artist and cleric Max Blake. It includes some of the work he has developed though his studies of Icons, as well as his experiments in a more abstract and surreal direction. Max explores his own deep imagination, which is fed by his wide knowledge of religion and reflections amongst other things.

As a man of faith, much of his work expresses an exploration of the Christian faith. Over recent years, Max has studied Byzantine and Coptic Iconography and he has used this study to develop his own interpretations of the icon. Much of Max’s work is highly detailed and the viewer can find many hidden details, people, faces and shapes in his work. This creates a joyful adventure for the eye through bright and vivid worlds. Max uses a range of media including oil paints, inks and coloured pencils.

Max Blake was born in East London in the early 50s and then grew up in Basildon. After graduating as a teacher, Max taught art in secondary schools across south Essex. He also worked with children with anxiety and children with special needs. He was ordained deacon followed by priesting in the early 2000s. Although he is now retired, Max still works as a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in the United Benefice of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.

As well as artwork Max has also illustrated book covers and books for children. He continues to exhibit his vibrant work in various locations, including the Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill and St Catherine’s Church in East Tilbury.

https://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk/art/max-blake

View attachment

More info

Wickford: St Andrew

Welcome to the A Church Near You page for our benefice, which includes St Andrew's and St Catherine's in Wickford and St Mary's in Runwell, and covers all of Wickford and Runwell. To get in touch with us, contact us here.

In our three churches, you will find:

a warm welcome, whoever you are, wherever you come from, and whatever you bring, because you are made in God's image; and

people in all their variety who try to live out God's transforming love for this parish and community.

Our services include:

On Sundays, 10.00 am Holy Communion at either St Andrew’s or St Mary’s, 11.00 am Holy Communion at St Catherine’s, and, except for the first Sunday in the month, a 6.30 pm service at one of our three churches;

Morning Prayer at 9.00 am on Tuesdays at St Andrew’s, Wednesdays at St Catherine’s, and Thursdays at St Mary’s; and

Midweek Holy Communion at 10.30 am on Wednesdays at St Andrew’s.

Many of our services are livestreamed at our Facebook page, click here. You can find out about our regular services and other activities at our What’s On page, click here.

The Wickford and Runwell Team Ministry is committed to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults. We follow the House of Bishops guidance and policies and have our own Parish Safeguarding Officer(s), PSOs. The Diocese of Chelmsford’s safeguarding pages contain vital links and information including contacts for the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor (DSA) who advise our PSOs. If you are concerned that a child or adult has been harmed or may be at risk of harm please contact the DSA. If you have immediate concerns about the safety of someone, please contact the police and your local authority Children or Adults Services.

gallery image gallery image

Get in touch

Alison Davies

St Andrew's Church
11 London Road
Wickford
Essex
SS12 0AN

SS12 0AN
Church Warden
01268 478892

Our website

What's on

'Adventures in Joy: An Exhibition by Max Blake'

for 2 hours
Wickford: St Andrew
London Road Wickford, ss12 0an, United Kingdom

2 May – 25 July 2025
St Andrew’s Church, 11 London Road, Wickford SS12 0AN

View the exhibition and hear Max speak about his work at ‘Unveiled’, the arts & performance evening at St Andrew’s Wickford, Friday 2 May, 7.00 pm.

St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm.

https://wickfordandrunwellparish.org.uk/whats-on.html

“Adventures in Joy” presents the most recent work produced by artist and cleric Max Blake. It includes some of the work he has developed though his studies of Icons, as well as his experiments in a more abstract and surreal direction. Max explores his own deep imagination, which is fed by his wide knowledge of religion and reflections amongst other things.

As a man of faith, much of his work expresses an exploration of the Christian faith. Over recent years, Max has studied Byzantine and Coptic Iconography and he has used this study to develop his own interpretations of the icon. Much of Max’s work is highly detailed and the viewer can find many hidden details, people, faces and shapes in his work. This creates a joyful adventure for the eye through bright and vivid worlds. Max uses a range of media including oil paints, inks and coloured pencils.

Max Blake was born in East London in the early 50s and then grew up in Basildon. After graduating as a teacher, Max taught art in secondary schools across south Essex. He also worked with children with anxiety and children with special needs. He was ordained deacon followed by priesting in the early 2000s. Although he is now retired, Max still works as a retired priest with Permission to Officiate in the United Benefice of Horndon, Orsett and Bulphan.

As well as artwork Max has also illustrated book covers and books for children. He continues to exhibit his vibrant work in various locations, including the Well House Gallery in Horndon on the Hill and St Catherine’s Church in East Tilbury.

https://www.wellhousegallery.co.uk/art/max-blake

View attachment

More info
Our Benefice
Wickford: St Andrew Charity No. 1128199