Assembly (2005)

In London’s Woolwich by the old Royal Arsenal, are to be found sixteen metal men, all congregating together as though they are about to attend a meeting. Like something from a weird sci-fi or horror film, one wonders if they are going to suddenly start moving and getting up to who-knows-what. 'Assembly', by Peter Burke, was installed in 2005, and cannot be described as a beautiful piece, but thought-provoking, certainly. I rather assumed the figures were alluding to the site’s martial past, its associations with weaponry and firearms receiving tribute or critique from the metallic, barely humanoid figures.

Our inner selves are protected, padded and obscured by our external front. This is not just flesh and blood, but facial expressions, choices of words and our willingness (or otherwise) to converse and share with others. This may be a helpful or unhelpful regarding social interaction, but are we offering a firm defence to God’s Holy Spirit with His sanctifying, Christ-emulating, improving works in our hearts? The one who resists God but freely admits sin is on the path to hell; the one who fights sin and opens up to God’s good Spirit is already approaching Mount Zion.