In 2006 The renown British Poet John Lindley and Daniel Bonnell collaborated to share their gifts together. John Lindley wrote 52 poems about 52 paintings that Daniel Bonnell produced. The one dynamic of this project was that John was to know nothing about the paintings themselves. Painting is silent poetry. The question was, What would occur when poetry and painting come together?

John Lindley took the poetry to churches around England and presented the project, He would read his poetry while projecting each painting. One of his poems from the series won critical acclaim.

What transpired out of this experiment? The poetry appears to have been developed first and not the other way around. The poetry grounds the work of art, in fact they seem to need each other. Both artists give reflection that whatever gift they have was given to them regardless of their ethos or faith. What occurs when those gifts meet considering that painting is considered silent poetry?

The poems and art are now being revived into a series of videos for contemplation, and meditation to be found here.

Crossing the Divide

John Lindley reads his poem, 'Annunciation' at Manchester Cathedral as part of Manchester Literature Festival. The poem won 2010's International Religious Poetry Competition. The painting and poem is shown below so that you may experience the poem and art together.

Crossing the Divide

Poems by John Lindley Paintings by Daniel Bonnell